Moroccan apple production has developed over the last few years. Today, apple trees cover a surface of 30,000 ha, which is equal to 22% of the African continent.
On a national scale, apples represent 20% of the surface area of fruit rosacea, making them the largest rosacea pip fruits planted in Morocco. The sector has made such big developments over the last few years thanks to initiatives and funds from the Department of Agriculture and the Plan Maroc Vert (Green Morocco Plan). A diverse range of programs were set up in different regions to help Moroccan apple producers to improve and add value to their production.
The sector produces almost 600,000 tons/year, i.e. 20 tons/ha. Over the last decade apple production went from 383,000 tons (2003-2008 average) to 490,000 tons (2008-2013 average), a 27% increase over these 2 periods. The largest production regions are located at high and medium altitude in the High and Middle Atlas. The number of apple producers reaches almost 39,000, of which 79% have very small orchards less than 1 ha big. Orchards that are less than 3 ha in size represent 94% of orchards and use 46% of the total area, with an average area per orchard of 0.8 ha.
Apple exporting in Morocco only began in 2009. Volume exported is very low at around 200 tons/year, and mainly sent to the French market (64 tons) and the Senegalese market (61 tons). Most of the production is destined for the local market. As for imports, following a peak in apple imports in 2009-2010 with over 14,000 tons, a decrease has been recorded since. In 2013 Moroccan apple imports are estimated at 7,200 tons, mainly coming from Italy (58%) and France (17%). These imports are estimated at 43 million dirhams.
The Minister of Agriculture has remarked that Moroccan apple production would benefit from support from countries such as China, Turkey and Poland so as to satisfy national demand and aim at the main global markets such as Russia and Germany. Russia alone imported almost double the amount of apples that Morocco produced in 2013, i.e. 1.35 million tons.