The yield expectations for the season are 18.6 t/ha instead of 20.3 t/ha last season. Citrus fruits from Berkane have suffered in particular from bad weather. Export has dropped 20% compared to last season. Export abroad has dropped from 56,338 tons in 2012-2013 to 45,333 tons at the moment. The weather did not help with temperatures remaining high from September through until mid-November, reaching 28 °C. Berkane, particularly well-known for its clementines produced small fruit this season, which is poorly perceived in the international market, especially the Russian market which receives over 80% of export from Moulouya.
The quality of production affected revenue. Prices range between 2 and 2.5 DH/kg compared to 2.4 to 3.6DH/kg last season. Prices from sorting are also free-falling, ranging between 0.60 and 1.5 DH/kg compared to 1.5 to 2 DH/kg in 2012-2013. The premature start to the degreening process in regions such as Souss (9th instead of 28th September) dealt a hard blow to the production. It is so difficult under such conditions to weigh up against competition, notably from South Africa and Argentina, well known for their quality produce.
Stocking in the degreening chambers lasted between 10 and 14 days which meant that when the merchandise arrived abroad (Russia) it had a bland, acidic taste.
Export from the Berkane region is maintained by four groups. The main group is the seedless clementine, 85%. The packaging is dealt with by about 20 stations with a total capacity of 120,000 t. Seven of these stations are organised as cooperatives which represents 29% of the total capacity. 18,700 ha is reserved for clementine farming (63% seedless clementines and 29% Navel), of which 12,300 ha are equipped with a localised irrigation system.
The citrus fruit sector represents two million working days a year and generates an estimated revenue of 500 million Dirham.
