Avocado growers in Morocco say they are on track for a bumper harvest, defying the drought that has hit the country in far northwest Africa.
Production for the season, which runs from October to April, could see an increase of 2%. Good news for consumers of the creamy fruit so popular with restaurateurs.
Morocco’s climatic conditions have proven to be perfect for avocado producers. The popularity of this fruit and the revaluation of high prices in the market led to an increase in exports from year to year.
Morocco has become an important player in the global avocado market since its introduction.
Abdellah Elyamlahi, President of the Moroccan Association of Avocado Exporters, says the northern regions of the country have significant water reserves that have boosted agricultural production.
“The northern region of Morocco experiences rainfall and has significant water reserves, unlike southern Morocco, such as Agadir and the southern provinces. 20% of the increase in production is due to the growth of agricultural operations. »
Morocco has recently endured a severe drought due to reduced rainfall and increased temperatures, particularly during the summer months.
This had a very negative impact on the water table and led to low water levels in the dams.
Despite water shortage issues, the country’s avocado industry has shown resilience.
Avocado production across the country for this season could reach 60,000 tonnes, says Elyamlahi of the Moroccan Association of Avocado Exporters.
Last year, overall production reached 40,000 tonnes, he says, with 90% of the Hass variety.
Each year, Morocco exports almost all of the avocados it grows. They started exporting to Spain but later added countries like Italy, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Russia to the list of importers.
However, two-thirds of this year’s avocado harvest has no destination yet and several export units have been forced to close.
Elyamlahi explains that this year’s avocados are smaller and there is greater competition in international markets for the larger fruits.
