EGYPT – As Ramadan approaches, the Moroccan market is experiencing a noticeable shift in its date imports, with Egyptian varieties gaining ground over traditional suppliers.
Factors such as production quality, economic changes, and diplomatic relations are shaping these trends.
Morocco, the second-largest importer of dates globally, has increasingly turned to Egypt for its supply. Abdelrahman Ali, the date category lead at Egypt’s Alamir Group, highlights this development: “We see that the Moroccan market prefers wadi dates from Egypt over any other type this season.”
The shift can be attributed to challenges faced by competitors. Tunisia, traditionally a strong player, has struggled with reduced production and quality concerns caused by excessive rainfall during harvest.
Meanwhile, Algeria’s exports have been hindered by diplomatic tensions with Morocco. Calls for a boycott of Algerian dates on Moroccan social media have further diminished Algeria’s presence in the market.
Ali explains that trade regulations also play a role: “The Moroccan market chooses its date sources using barriers to entry like customs. This season, this has meant that Libyan dates have entered the Moroccan market late. It also explains why Saudi dates, such as the Sokary variety, transit to Morocco via Egypt.”
Egyptian exporters are optimistic about maintaining their strong position in Morocco. “Sustainability lies in variety diversification and price stability. The quality of Egyptian dates is also an argument, a quality incomparable with traditional Moroccan suppliers,” Ali states.
Egyptian oasis and wadi dates have seen particularly high demand, with buoyant export destinations such as Indonesia also reflecting their popularity.
While countries like Kazakhstan have exhibited slower demand this season, Moroccan preferences appear to align with Egypt’s offerings.
In 2024, Morocco produced approximately 115,000 tons of dates and imported around 103,000 tons between October 2023 and March 2024. Key suppliers included Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and the UAE.
However, Egyptian dates stood out due to their consistent quality and the challenges faced by competing exporters.
Looking ahead, Morocco aims to increase its domestic date production to 300,000 tons by 2030 through efforts such as rehabilitating palm groves, expanding plantations, and enhancing productivity.
A MAD 7.47 billion (approximately USD 747 million) investment over a decade is expected to support these initiatives.
Despite these plans, industry analysts predict that the Moroccan market will continue to favor Egyptian dates in the near future. Their combination of quality, price stability, and strategic trade practices gives them an edge.
Ali concludes, “Egyptian exporters can sustain this trend and increase their exports to Morocco in the coming seasons.”
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