Soft fruits: the sector is slowing down
After several years of growth, the soft fruit sector is experiencing a very difficult 2023-2024 season. A drop in cultivated area, a fall in production and, in turn, a decline in exports. «Last season, the area under red fruit was 13,355 hectares. This year, it is 12,250 hectares, a drop of more than 1,000 hectares. This is due to some farmers abandoning strawberry cultivation for lack of profitability», explains Amine Bennani, President of the Moroccan Association of Red Fruit Producers (AMPFR). These farmers have opted instead for more profitable crops, such as potatoes or tomatoes.
Blueberries dominate with the largest area of around 5,300 ha, followed by raspberries (4,300 ha) and strawberries (2,400 ha). Blackberries and goji berries account for just 150 hectares.
These fruits are produced in three major regions of the Kingdom, namely the Loukkos and the Gharb in the north, and the Souss-Massa region in the south of the country, including Agadir. In recent years, blueberry cultivation has also been developed in Dakhla and Meknes to increase production volumes of these small fruits, which are highly prized on the international market.
Production has also fallen sharply as a result of climate change. «The long period of drought, very high temperatures reaching over 50 degrees in the Souss-Massa region, which accounts for 25% of national production, and gusty winds have had a negative impact on yields», laments Amine Bennani. Last October, a severe storm hit the north of the country, particularly the Gharb and Loukkos regions, which account for 75% of soft fruit production. «Wind gusts reached up to 110 kilometers per hour. That’s enormous! They caused major damage to growers. At the moment, we’re experiencing intense cold, which is likely to damage the plants», adds the president of AMPFR.
These weather conditions have caused «a yield loss of 5 to 20%», according to the professionals. «Raspberries suffered the most. Yields have dropped considerably «, says Zouhir Daissoria, CEO of First Green Land and President of the Bldiofroote cooperative.
The country’s soft fruit production is almost entirely destined for export. Between 90% and 92% of blueberries and raspberries are sold on the international market, mainly in Europe (Spain, France, UK…). A small quantity is reserved for the domestic market. «Nearly 85% of strawberries are also exported», says Zouhir Daissoria. In addition to the old continent, these fruits are sold in the Middle East, Asia, and the United States.
Khadija Skalli
