The first containers of Moroccan avocados will soon be arriving on the market, announces Mehdi Benchekroun, Moroccan exporter of fresh produce and CEO of DMB & Co.
"It's a matter of a few days before the fruit reaches the right fat level. The first harvests in the Loukkous region are expected next week, and the campaign kicks off for all exporters at the beginning of October, with calendars lasting until May", says Benchekroun.
Volumes, sizes, and overall quality are "very satisfactory," adds the exporter. "Everything augurs well for a good season. Climate has been clement in the Loukkous region. There were some losses due to chergui (hot dry winds) in July, but the damage is limited. The cost of treatment products was very high, prompting some small-scale producers, or those with young trees, to limit their use, and they were the most affected by Cherqui. Growers who have maintained proper operations, with good nutrition and treatment of the orchards, and whose trees are over 5 years old, have a good crop, with large sizes and excellent quality".
Growers and exporters are still vacillating over the season's launch prices. Benchekroun comments: "Some growers will refuse to harvest early, waiting for potentially better prices, as we saw last season. But they should know that they are not the only ones on the market, as Peruvian shipments continue to arrive in Europe. Another peculiarity of the campaign in commercial terms is that growers are refusing to sell parcels of standing fruit, preferring to sell per kg given the success of the previous season."
Benchekroun concludes, "I think prices will be more or less 3 euros/kg FOB on average at the start of the season and will rise afterward. Demand is expected to be solid, especially from Spain and the Netherlands. When the Moroccan campaign is in full swing, it will be at the end of the Peruvian campaign, so the competition will be to our advantage. Importers are already multiplying their visits to Morocco to witness the quality and conclude contracts. Demand will also be solid in the local market."
The Moroccan avocado growers' association announced in June that this season's volumes were expected to increase by around 20%. Production has been going well with no major issues regarding production conditions. The most produced variety is Hass, followed by Fuerte, Zutano, Lamb Hass and Bacon.
For more information:
Mehdi Benchekroun
DMB & CO
Tel.: +212661214337
Email: mehdi.benchekroun@dmb-co.com