Ahead of the 2025 International Seminar on Red Fruits in Morocco, organized by Blueberries Consulting, Amine Bennani, president of the Association of Red Fruit Producers of Morocco, outlined the importance of such events for the country's berry industry.
"For us, this event can provide more information about the international market and the evolution and needs of each market, allowing us to adapt Moroccan offerings to market demands and provide solutions to problems such as climate change and managing the labor force," said Bennani.
Morocco continues to attract attention from global berry producers and exporters. Bennani explained, "In Morocco, we have more than 14,000 hectares. Blueberries are the biggest increase each year, and we think we've increased our production by at least 660 hectares this year. We have more than 5,000 hectares (of blueberries) in Morocco, and we'll have exact figures at the seminar."
Berry exports recorded double-digit growth last season, led by blueberries. Comparing the 2023/24 campaign with the 2024/25 campaign, using data up to April 30, exports grew by 18%, from 119,898 tons to 141,077 tons. The Souss-Massa and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra regions were the leading producers of both fresh and processed berries.
Blueberry production rose from 52,797 tons in 2023/24 to 65,077 tons in 2024/25, a 23% increase. Raspberry output grew from 46,696 tons to 55,691 tons, representing a 19% increase. Strawberry production was the only category to decline, falling from 18,269 tons to 15,269 tons, a decrease of 17%.
Bennani stated that Morocco is advancing in opening the Chinese market and that exports to the United States are rising. "Customer response in supermarkets is very positive," he added. For the upcoming season, the industry's focus will be to "further diversify their Moroccan clientele, further develop the United States market, and begin exporting to the Chinese market."
The International Seminar on Red Fruits, scheduled for September 10, 2025, in Morocco, will address a range of issues. Discussions will include the global red berry industry with an emphasis on challenges and competitiveness strategies. There will be an update on the Moroccan berry market, covering production, marketing, and genetics. Seasonal data will be analyzed, focusing on sales volumes and prices of Moroccan blueberries. Presentations will also examine commercial opportunities for Moroccan blueberries.
Other sessions will focus on the importance of harvest, logistics, and post-harvest management to access distant markets. Blueberry production in China will be reviewed, including producing regions, pruning strategies, and production management. Irrigation strategies for soft fruit crops will be discussed through monitoring and interpreting drainage. The program will also cover conventional and alternative production techniques for strawberries and raspberries, disease and pest control strategies for red fruits, and the use of growth regulators to reduce heat stress in blueberries and other berries.
Source: Blueberries Consulting
