Morocco dominates Spain’s fresh produce market in 2024

MOROCCO – Morocco has strengthened its position as Spain’s top supplier of fresh produce in 2024, with exports reaching USD 755 million between January and July.

This makes up 24% of Spain’s total fresh fruit and vegetable imports during the same period, according to the Spanish Federation of Associations and Producers and Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers, and Live Plants (FEPEX).

The report from FEPEX highlights Morocco’s steady growth in Spain’s fresh produce market, with a 10% increase in exports compared to the same months in 2023.

Spain’s overall imports of fresh produce reached $3.1 billion, a 10% increase from last year. Non-EU countries contributed 68% of the total imports, with Morocco leading the charge.

“Morocco’s rise in this market speaks volumes about the strength of its agriculture sector and its growing role in feeding Europe,” a market analyst commented.

Morocco’s growth has outpaced other major suppliers to Spain, including Peru, France, and Portugal. Peru ranked second with exports totaling USD 343 million, a 12% increase. France came in third with USD 322 million (+14%), followed by Portugal with USD 236 million (+16%).

Morocco’s rising tomato exports to Spain and the EU

One of Morocco’s most successful exports has been tomatoes. In the first five months of 2024, Morocco held 65% of the EU’s total tomato imports, with shipments rising from 329,700 tons to over 539,300 tons.

This growing dominance has sparked concerns among Spanish tomato farmers, who see Morocco’s rising market share as a challenge to their competitiveness.

In January alone, Spain imported USD 144 million worth of fruits and vegetables from Morocco, representing a 45% increase compared to the same month in 2023. The volume of these imports rose by 31% to 57,534 tons.

Morocco’s reach extends beyond Spain. In the UK, Morocco has surpassed Spain as the second-largest supplier of tomatoes for the third consecutive year.

Based on United Nations COMTRADE data, Morocco’s tomato exports to the UK have steadily increased while Spain’s have declined. By 2023, Morocco’s tomato sales to the UK were 84.92% higher than Spain’s, equaling 57.69 million kilos.

While the Netherlands remains the UK’s top supplier, Morocco’s consistent growth in this market is striking.

In 2023, Morocco sold 125.62 million kilos of tomatoes to the UK, a 192.90% increase since 2014. The Netherlands saw a reduction in its tomato sales to the UK during the same period.

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