Moroccan onion exports to UAE reach US$1.1M in 2024
MOROCCO – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) imported Moroccan onions worth US$1.1 million in 2024, marking a shift in global trade patterns.
This was a remarkable increase in onion exports to the UAE in 2024 given Morocco is traditionally a key supplier to West African nations.
According to the report by East Fruit, the Gulf country imported a record 5,500 tons of Moroccan onions, valued at US$1.1 million, marking the highest volume in five years.
Previously, the UAE had never imported more than 500 tons in a single year, and revenues had not exceeded US$200,000.
This growth has positioned the UAE as Morocco’s third-largest onion export market, following Mauritania and Côte d’Ivoire. It has also overtaken the Netherlands, a long-time major buyer of Moroccan onions.
Industry experts attribute this rise to a shift in supply strategies. India, the world’s leading onion exporter and the UAE’s primary supplier, halted shipments in December 2023 to stabilize domestic prices. This created a gap that Moroccan traders swiftly filled by increasing their shipments.
India lifted its export ban in May 2024, raising the possibility of intensified competition in the UAE market. India will likely attempt to reclaim its market share from Iran, which had become the leading supplier after India’s pause.
Maintaining its foothold will require Morocco to continue exporting large volumes while ensuring consistent quality and competitive pricing.
Data from the Trade Map platform shows that the UAE imported nearly 508,000 tons of onions in 2023, valued at approximately US$135 million. Despite recent growth, Morocco supplies just 9.8% of the country’s onion imports by volume.
With an annual production of over 990,000 tons, Morocco exports less than 5% of its onions. The industry has received government support since October 2023, including subsidies for onions, tomatoes, and potatoes to help farmers combat persistent drought.
Drought threatens Morocco’s agricultural season
Meanwhile, the 2024/2025 agricultural season in Morocco faces significant challenges due to ongoing drought. During a Government Council meeting on February 13, Minister of Agriculture Ahmed El Bouari revealed that the country has a water deficit of 53% compared to the 30-year average.
Water allocated for irrigation stands at 760 million cubic meters, covering less than 14% of the sector’s needs.
Agroeconomist Larbi Zagdouni, in an interview with Médias 24 on February 11, predicted a cereal harvest of under 3 million tons, citing reduced planting areas.
“The area planted is expected to be around 3 to 4 million hectares at most, compared to initial forecasts of 5 million hectares. Many farmers have been forced to abandon their land and sowing, because they have been financially bled by the succession of years of drought,” Zagdouni stated.
However, he noted that improved rainfall in March and April, during the crucial flowering and maturation period, could change the outlook.
Last season, persistent drought had already led to a 42% drop in cereal production, bringing it down to 3.3 million tons, according to the FAO.
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