Moroccan avocados experience an uncomplicated flowering phase, announcing higher volumes
Three months before the launch of the avocado campaign in Morocco, producers are anticipating a promising harvest, with higher yields than the previous year, according to Abdellah El Yamlahi, president of the Moroccan Avocado Association, speaking to Freshplaza .
“We have successfully passed a crucial stage in production, the flowering phase which took place in May and June. Judging by our visits to all the avocado producing regions , from Loukos to Gharb, the producers have successfully completed this stage thanks to better climatic conditions and more favorable temperatures compared to last season. We recorded less flower loss and more abundant flowering. We are now waiting for the fruits to grow in size and reach the desired level of fat”.
According to the producers’ representative, the increase in productivity is significant. “According to our estimates, we will have a yield increase of around 20% compared to last year, which represents a total volume of at least 60,000 tonnes nationally, a record figure, provided that the conditions climatic conditions remain favourable, with temperatures not exceeding 35 degrees in the orchards until September”.
The expected increase in volumes is also due to the expansion of cultivated areas, adds El Yamlahi: “Production is constantly growing. The areas devoted to cultivation are increasing, and new players have joined the sector this year, leading to new plantations, with an increase of at least 15%”.
Regarding variety diversity, “there is not much difference from last season in grower choices. However, we will have more volumes of green-skinned varieties such as Zutano and Bacon, which are experiencing cyclical yields and a high production period this year,” says Elyamlahi. The most cultivated varieties in Morocco are Hass, which represents 71.8% of exports, Fuerte with 12.5%, Zutano with 7%, Lamb Hass with 5.5% and Bacon with 3.2%. .
“The avocado campaign will start in the first week of October with green-skinned varieties. The programs for the other varieties will be available from the first week of November”, concludes Elyamlahi.
