MOROCCO – Morocco’s citrus production is expected to reach an estimated 2.55 million metric tons (MMT) in MY 2021/2022, registering a 12% rise from the previous period.

The positive performance is attributed to favourable weather conditions and increase in the area harvested.

Among all citrus fruits, tangerine is expected to attain the highest production growth during the period under review by 13% to 1.36 MMT.

According to a GAIN report by USDA, domestic consumption of tangerine is also expected to increase by 16% to 860,000 MT based on increased supply.

With the export season having started well in September, the report anticipates tangerine exports for MY 2021/22 to reach 500,000 MT, 8% higher than the previous season’s traded quantity due to heightened supply.

Russia and the European Union remain Morocco’s top export markets for the commodity, and the country is looking to increase tangerine exports to the UK after its departure from the European Union.

Meanwhile, orange production is forecast at 1.15 MMT, up 11 percent over MY 2020/21. Post estimates domestic consumption of fresh oranges at 975,000 MT, an increase of 9 percent for the previous season.

Orange exports are set to reach 120,000 MT, 25 percent more than the previous exported amount and deliveries to processors is estimated up to 55,000 MT.

With more available supplies for processing, orange juice production is estimated to increase by 10%.

Domestic consumption is forecasted to reach 4,700 MT, up 4 percent over the previous season on higher available supply.

Meanwhile orange juice exports will reach 2,300 MT, about 244 MT higher than MY 2020/21.

Post also expects Morocco to import 1,500 MT of orange juice, a decrease of 56 MT over the previous year. Decreased imports reflect domestic production upsurges.

Despite the double-digit growth to be exhibited by most types of citrus fruits, lemon and lime production for MY 2021/22 is set to reach 45,000 MT, about 2 percent higher than MY 2020/21.

Local consumption is also expected to marginally rise to be slightly up at 35,000 MT, while exports for MY 2021/22 are set to be flat at 10,000 MT.

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