Red Fruit Exports: Morocco Hits a Slowdown After Several Years of Growth
Moroccan Red Fruit Sector Faces Notable Slowdown
The Moroccan red fruit industry is experiencing a significant slowdown at the end of the 2025-2026 season. After several years of continuous growth, exports are on the decline due to adverse weather conditions, increased international competition, and structural challenges affecting the sector.
Exports Drop by 5%
According to the latest data published by the specialized platform FreshPlaza, Moroccan exports of fresh and processed red fruits reached 215,924 tons by the end of May 2026, down from 226,964 tons in the previous year, marking a 5% decrease.
This decline can be attributed to several factors. The flooding that occurred at the beginning of the season in the primary production areas in northern Morocco severely disrupted harvests. Additionally, there is growing global competition, particularly with the rise of Chinese blueberry exports, alongside a persistent shortage of seasonal labor.
Blueberries Resilient, Strawberries Plummet
Fresh red fruit exports totaled 162,540 tons, reflecting a 4% year-on-year decrease.
The blueberry remains the most dynamic product in the sector, with exports increasing by 6% to reach 89,236 tons. Conversely, raspberry exports have seen a 7% decline, totaling 59,149 tons.
The fresh strawberry crop has been the hardest hit this season, with exports plummeting by 49% to just 8,906 tons, a direct consequence of production difficulties and logistical challenges faced by growers.
Frozen Products Also Decline
The frozen red fruit segment has also seen an overall reduction of 8%.
Frozen blueberry exports have decreased by 17%, while frozen strawberry exports dropped by 16%. In contrast, frozen raspberry exports saw a 19% increase, indicating stronger demand in certain markets.
A Sector Facing Multiple Challenges
Industry professionals believe that the results could have been even worse without the expansion of cultivated areas, which helped mitigate the impact of climate-related disruptions on overall production volumes.
They also highlight the pressure from international competition, particularly with large volumes of Chinese blueberries entering global markets, contributing to price reductions and squeezing the profit margins of Moroccan exporters.
Another major challenge is the shortage of seasonal workers. Due to insufficient labor, many farms have been forced to reduce their harvests or end them prematurely, limiting the quantities available for export.
Focusing on Quality to Preserve Competitiveness
In light of this new reality, industry operators are redirecting their investments towards enhancing the quality of production. Improving product quality, developing added value, strengthening cold chain logistics, and optimizing marketing schedules are among the key strategies being considered to maintain the competitiveness of Moroccan red fruits in increasingly demanding international markets.
