“Before the creation of Fresh Alliance, we were just farmers selling mostly on the local Moroccan market,” explains Mohamed Oubaha, manager of the company. “Then, we sought to expand our activities to international markets in the form of agricultural collaboration contracts, mainly for the Charentais melon, which we now grow mostly in greenhouses.”
France: The favorite market for Charentais
“We export 90% of our Charentais melons to France. The variety is really destined for the French market and, since the most important criterion for the production is precocity, many producers tend to go to the southern regions where the climate is warmer. The products can then be harvested earlier than in other regions.”
Indeed, the precocity of the melon is decisive in the success of the season. According to Mohamed, the earlier the Moroccan production precedes the French production, the more promising the market will be. “The French production usually starts in May, so we try to be on the market by the end of March. In the South, the fruits can sometimes even be ready at the end of February. Then, we continue with the region of Marrakech, which generally starts at the end of March or the beginning of April. There, we have a month of relatively hard work because of the impressive quantities produced in this vast region, which has been growing melons for the French market for about 50 years.”
The Moroccan season usually ends mid-May, just before the start of the French season. “And we do all we can to sell our merchandise then, because the Charentais melon is sold for at at least 2 euros [2.25 USD] on the French market at the beginning of April but drops to 20-30 euro cents [0.22-0.34 USD] around mid-May. A price that would not even cover the packaging and shipping costs.”
Marrakech region waiting for the Charentais
“At the moment, for a one-hectare surface, we harvest 2 to 3 crates, no more. The harvest has not really started because it has not been very warm lately, which delayed the ripening of the product.” Mohamed adds that “the harvest should really start around the 7th or 8th of April, not before.”
On the other hand, in terms of quality, it seems to be a good year. “The pictures speak for themselves, the products are nicely striped, with a beautiful color and a good caliber.” As for the production, Mohamed expects to reach 2,200-2,300 tons this year. “With just one of our clients, we have already committed to a minimum of 1,500 tons, (which is quite considerable for Charentais melons), for 4 to 5 weeks in a row.”
For more information:
Mohamed Oubaha
Fresh Alliance
Phone: +212 621 112 828
freshalliance.maroc@gmail.com
www.freshalliance.ma