So far this campaign, Morocco has seen an increase in the export of citrus fruits, although exporters are also convinced that, at the current pace of growth, it won't be possible to achieve the goal set for 2018 of shipping 1.3 million tonnes to all overseas markets.
The export season in Morocco lasts from October to May. Citrus sales up until the end of January 2016 stood at 350 thousand tonnes; an increase of 27% compared to the same period last year, as revealed by the independent Moroccan Organization for control and coordination of exports at Fruit Logistica.
By the end of the current export season in May, the organization expects the total export volumes to stand between 550 and 600 thousand tonnes, compared to 480 thousand tonnes in the same period last year. Those exports represent about a quarter of the production, which according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is expected to reach 2.2 million tonnes this year.
The main reason for the increase in citrus exports has been the larger volume of shipments to Russia, which purchased 155 thousand tonnes, accounting for 44% of the total exports.
Moroccan citrus also seemed to regain its attractiveness in the European market, where 108 thousand tonnes have been shipped by the mid-season, compared to the 80 thousand tonnes of the same period last year.
According to official statistics, citrus exports to the Canadian market have increased by 24% and shipments to the Gulf States have doubled, reaching 100 thousand tonnes, while exports to the U.S. have dropped by 20%.
