Morocco sees surge in tomato exports for 2024
MOROCCO – Morocco, the third-largest exporter of tomatoes globally, is set to increase its tomato exports by the end of 2024, building on its already impressive performance in the first half of the year.
Between January and July 2024, Morocco exported 424,000 tons of tomatoes, according to data from East Fruit, a specialized trade analysis website.
This represents a 6% rise compared to the same period in 2023 and a 16% increase compared to the five-year average.
The country is steadily advancing its position in the global tomato market, following only Mexico and the Netherlands in export volume.
France remains the largest importer of Moroccan tomatoes, accounting for nearly half of the shipments.
The United Kingdom and the Netherlands are also significant buyers. However, Germany has shown notable growth, increasing its tomato imports from Morocco by almost 20% within the same period, reaching 25,000 tons. This indicates that Morocco’s influence in the European market is expanding further.
Tomato exports are a significant contributor to Morocco’s agricultural economy. In the 2022/2023 marketing year, the country earned close to USD 1 billion from its tomato shipments, cementing its place as a critical player in the global market.
Although the total volume of exports in 2023 fell to around 660,000 tons—down from the record high of 716,000 tons in 2022—the country remains focused on regaining momentum.
The Moroccan tomato industry plays an essential role in employment and economic stability, particularly in rural areas.
“Our tomato exports have consistently supported job creation and economic growth in many parts of Morocco, and we are optimistic about the future,” said a representative from the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture.
Moroccan tomato producers face challenges, such as water scarcity and competition from European growers. To maintain their competitive edge, many producers are investing in climate-controlled greenhouses and upgrading their production techniques to boost efficiency.
These improvements help farmers maximize yield despite increasingly difficult environmental conditions.
“Water management is crucial for our operations. The investments we are making in irrigation technologies and greenhouse innovation are showing promising results,” said a Moroccan producer. “We’re seeing better yields with less water, which is critical for maintaining our export volumes.”
Given the steady growth seen in the first half of 2024, Morocco is optimistic about the future of its tomato exports.
With key markets like France, the United Kingdom, and Germany driving demand, the country aims to maintain its position as one of the world’s top tomato suppliers.
Exporters are also eyeing new markets in Africa to diversify their trade partners and ensure long-term stability.
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Morocco sees surge in tomato exports for 2024
MOROCCO – Morocco, the third-largest exporter of tomatoes globally, is set to increase its tomato exports by the end of 2024, building on its already impressive performance in the first half of the year.
Between January and July 2024, Morocco exported 424,000 tons of tomatoes, according to data from East Fruit, a specialized trade analysis website.
This represents a 6% rise compared to the same period in 2023 and a 16% increase compared to the five-year average.
The country is steadily advancing its position in the global tomato market, following only Mexico and the Netherlands in export volume.
France remains the largest importer of Moroccan tomatoes, accounting for nearly half of the shipments.
The United Kingdom and the Netherlands are also significant buyers. However, Germany has shown notable growth, increasing its tomato imports from Morocco by almost 20% within the same period, reaching 25,000 tons. This indicates that Morocco’s influence in the European market is expanding further.
Tomato exports are a significant contributor to Morocco’s agricultural economy. In the 2022/2023 marketing year, the country earned close to USD 1 billion from its tomato shipments, cementing its place as a critical player in the global market.
Although the total volume of exports in 2023 fell to around 660,000 tons—down from the record high of 716,000 tons in 2022—the country remains focused on regaining momentum.
The Moroccan tomato industry plays an essential role in employment and economic stability, particularly in rural areas.
“Our tomato exports have consistently supported job creation and economic growth in many parts of Morocco, and we are optimistic about the future,” said a representative from the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture.
Moroccan tomato producers face challenges, such as water scarcity and competition from European growers. To maintain their competitive edge, many producers are investing in climate-controlled greenhouses and upgrading their production techniques to boost efficiency.
These improvements help farmers maximize yield despite increasingly difficult environmental conditions.
“Water management is crucial for our operations. The investments we are making in irrigation technologies and greenhouse innovation are showing promising results,” said a Moroccan producer. “We’re seeing better yields with less water, which is critical for maintaining our export volumes.”
Given the steady growth seen in the first half of 2024, Morocco is optimistic about the future of its tomato exports.
With key markets like France, the United Kingdom, and Germany driving demand, the country aims to maintain its position as one of the world’s top tomato suppliers.
Exporters are also eyeing new markets in Africa to diversify their trade partners and ensure long-term stability.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.