Morocco's fresh onion exports reached record levels in the 2024/25 season following the lifting of restrictions. According to EastFruit, between June 2024 and May 2025, Morocco exported 64,900 metric tons of fresh onions valued at US$238 million. This represented a 4.8-fold increase compared to the previous season and 3% above the earlier record set in 2022/23.
Until 2013, Morocco's seasonal onion exports generally stayed below 10,000 tons. From 2013/14, volumes exceeded 20,000 tons, rising above 40,000 tons in 2018/19. The 2022/23 season marked the first time exports surpassed 60,000 tons.
In February 2023, Morocco Foodex introduced a ban on onion exports to West African countries, leading to a sharp decline, with volumes falling to 13,500 tons in 2023/24. After the ban was lifted in mid-2024, exports recovered and set a new record.
Onions are among Morocco's leading vegetable exports. In 2024, they ranked fourth in volume, behind tomatoes, bell peppers, and carrots.
The onion export season typically begins in June and peaks between July and September, tapering from January onwards. In the current season, September saw exports of 14,200 tons, higher than the entire total of the previous season. Most of the increase was driven by high volumes shipped between October and January.
West Africa remained the main destination. Mauritania doubled its intake compared with 2022/23, while exports to Côte d'Ivoire also increased. Shipments to Mali and Senegal declined. Morocco also gained new access to the Middle East, with the United Arab Emirates importing 5,500 tons, or 8.5% of total onion exports.
Morocco has therefore not only restored earlier export levels but also entered additional markets.
Source: EastFruit
