Morocco breaks a record for exporting cucumbers to Portugal in the midst of a European drought.
In a season marked by unprecedented drought in Europe, Morocco achieved a feat by exporting a record volume of cucumbers to Portugal, according to data provided by EastFruit.
EastFruit had previously reported an upward trend in cucumber exports from Morocco since 2017, with local exporters continually setting new records over the past three seasons. This upward trend continues, and at the same time, imports of cucumbers from Morocco to Portugal have also experienced notable growth.
The data reveals that although shipments of Moroccan cucumbers to Portuguese markets saw a slight decline during the 2018/19 season, import volumes have increased year after year since. In just four years, the quantity of cucumbers exported to Portugal has increased 17-fold, reaching more than 2,000 tonnes in the 2022/23 season (July to June period). Traditionally, Moroccan cucumbers were delivered to Portugal from November to March, with peak deliveries in January and February. This season, however, marked a major turning point, as cucumbers from Morocco were imported almost all year round, generating an estimated profit of $2.3 million.
Interestingly, until recently, Portuguese consumers did not feel the pressing need to increase their imports of cucumbers, as local production was sufficient to satisfy demand. However, the situation changed last year when southern Europe, including Portugal, was hit by a severe drought. Water prices increased, and restrictions on irrigation were imposed, creating difficulties for many farmers. This water shortage has had a negative impact on cucumber production, forcing Portugal to intensify its vegetable imports, mainly from Spain and Morocco, the two main suppliers.
Morocco exported cucumbers to 32 countries
During the 2022/23 campaign, a total of 7,700 tonnes of cucumbers were imported into Portuguese markets, compared to 4,000 tonnes two years previously. This season, Portugal imported cucumbers from six different countries, with Spain accounting for two-thirds of all shipments, while Morocco accounted for a quarter.
Despite everything, it should be noted that Spain remains the main market for Moroccan cucumber producers. During the 2022/23 season, Morocco exported cucumbers to 32 countries, with total sales volume reaching 21,400 tonnes, generating $19 million in revenue for the country. Almost half of all exports (9,900 tonnes) were destined for Spain, with a remarkable increase compared to the previous season.
At the same time, exports of cucumbers to Portugal show the most dynamic growth. Over the past five years, shipments of Moroccan cucumbers to Portugal have increased tenfold.
In light of the exceptional drought hitting southern Europe again this year, it is reasonable to expect that Morocco’s cucumber exports will continue to increase next year, in a context where the need imports remain high due to persistent climatic challenges.
