MOROCCO – Morocco has announced a substantial investment of MAD 7.47 billion (USD 751.6 million) over the next decade to enhance its date sector, aiming to significantly increase production and exports.
The ambitious plan aims to boost Morocco’s date production to 300,000 tons by 2030. This investment was formalized during the International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM) last year, underscoring the country’s commitment to revitalizing and expanding its date industry.
The initiative includes several strategic actions. Efforts will be made to rehabilitate traditional palm groves, ensuring they reach their full productive potential.
New date plantations will be established to enhance overall production capacity. Additionally, advanced agricultural practices and technologies will be introduced to increase the yield and quality of dates.
Developing storage and processing infrastructure is another key aspect of the plan. Investments will be made in modern storage facilities and processing units to handle the increased production efficiently.
Moreover, Morocco aims to enhance its presence in the global date market by boosting exports. There will also be a focus on obtaining organic certification for dates sourced from Moroccan oases, aligning with global consumer preferences for organic products.
Despite a strong local production increase of 7% in 2023, Morocco continues to maintain high import volumes of dates.
Between October 2023 and March 2024, the country imported 103,000 tons of dates, a figure nearly equivalent to the same period in the previous season and exceeding the average imports over the three seasons before that.
The peak of date imports typically coincides with Ramadan, with volumes reaching their maximum just before and during the holy month. The timing of Ramadan, which shifts each year, influences these import volumes.
For the 2023/24 season, the peak occurred in February, suggesting lower import volumes in the remaining months.
Morocco is the second-largest date importer globally, with dates being the top fruit and vegetable import category in the country. About 90% of these imports come from the UAE, Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria.
While the UAE has traditionally been the leading supplier, Egypt’s active export growth might see it surpass the UAE in the Moroccan market this season.
During Ramadan, the Mejhoul date is a beloved delicacy among Moroccans. Known for its exceptional sweetness and rich history, this date variety, from the oases of Tafilalet in southeastern Morocco, remains a staple despite its high price.
Nutrition specialist Maria Benjelloun highlights the Mejhoul date’s benefits, stating, “Because the date is rich in fast-acting sugars, it provides a significant energy boost while being low in fat and high in fiber.”
Benjelloun also points out the Mejhoul date’s mineral content, including iron and zinc, which is valuable for those with anemia.
The date’s nutrient profile supports brain and heart health, combating fatigue and exhaustion during fasting.
With this substantial investment, Morocco is set to strengthen its date sector significantly. The multifaceted plan aims not only to boost production and exports but also to enhance the cultural and nutritional value of dates in the country.
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