Morocco vegetable exports surge to US$1.6 billion in 2023

Over the course of 2023, Morocco showed a strong increase in export revenue in the fresh vegetable sector, even as actual export volumes declined, according to EastFruit.

Vegetable exports generated export earnings of around US$1.6 billion - a 12% increase from the previous year and a figure almost 50% higher than the five-year average. Despite adverse weather events resulting in a 14% drop in Morocco's fresh vegetable export volume to 1.06 million tons, this figure still represents a 5% increase over the five-year average.

Tomatoes continued to lead other vegetables in revenue. In 2023, revenue from tomatoes approached $1.2 billion, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the total value of Morocco's fresh vegetable exports. However, the sector faced significant challenges due to exceptional temperatures in the summer, causing tomato exports to drop by 11% to 660,000 tons. Nevertheless, Morocco maintained its position as the third largest exporter of fresh tomatoes in the world, trailing only Mexico and the Netherlands.

Sweet peppers maintained their position as the second largest export earner in the vegetable sector. This category, particularly within greenhouse vegetables, showed notable growth in physical export volumes. In 2023, Morocco's sweet pepper exports increased by 4% to 174,000 tons, while their monetary value rose by 55%.