Once a major producer of prickly pears, Morocco has lost large areas of this fruit due to the cochineal insect that appeared in the country in 2014. Losses are estimated at over 140,000 hectares, and the fruit has virtually disappeared in most parts of the country, causing prices to skyrocket on the local market. Today, the situation has evolved according to Said Aghzou, CEO of Valyour, who believes that prickly pears will soon be among Morocco's most exported fruits.
© Valyour
The revival of the fruit in Morocco is due to the introduction of new varieties resistant to cochineal. Aghzou explains: "The fruit has been preserved in certain remote parts of the country, but it is the introduction of resistant varieties that is now enabling this fruit to return to the market. Considerable efforts have been made by several actors, from health authorities to producers, to bring these varieties to production, and these efforts have been rewarded with good adaptation and behavior, whether in terms of size, resistance, low water consumption, or overall fruit quality."
Before the massive drop in production, Morocco was not known for its prickly pears on the international market, according to the exporter. He adds: "In the meantime, demand for prickly pears has exploded, both for fresh fruit consumption and for the food and cosmetics industries. Commercial plantations are now multiplying in several regions of the country to meet this demand, and it is only a matter of time before prickly pears become a mainstream product in Morocco, grown and exported on a large scale."
© Valyour
When grown in the wild, as was the case before the cochineal plague, the prickly pear season in Morocco took place mainly in the summer. However, commercial cultivation allows for year-round seasonality, according to Aghzou. "We are moving towards a season that spans the entire year. Currently, with the recent introduction of plantations, the season runs from April to September," he continues.
"Strong demand, be it on the local market, for the processing industry, or for fresh fruit exports, convinced us to add this fruit to our portfolio. We conducted a commercial trial last season for the Spanish market, which was a clear success. We will continue in this vein with a steady increase in volumes over the coming seasons," the exporter adds.
Conversely, Aghzou shares that he has discontinued exporting other products that have become non-competitive. He concludes, "We have dropped eggplants and cucumbers from our portfolio due to aggressive competition driving down prices. We have identified prickly pears and asparagus as new flagship products with strong commercial potential, particularly on the European market."
For more information:
Said Aghzou
Valyour
Tel: +212661552683
Email: [email protected]
