Browse Data and Analysis

This year’s apple harvest is expected to be 197,000 MT, slightly lower than last year’s numbers and the lowest in a decade. Pear production is set to drop by around nine percent, with a total of 327,000 MT. The decrease in pear harvest is mostly due to tough growing conditions throughout the season, leading to fewer fruits per tree. When it comes to the land being harvested, apple acreage is shrinking further, down to about 5,220 hectares.

Post production forecasts for tangerines/mandarins, oranges, lemons, and orange juice remain unchanged from the December 20 Annual Citrus Report. MY 2023/24 export figures are revised based on trade data received from Morocco’s office des changes.

On May 10, 2024, the Moroccan market opened for U.S. seed potatoes. The United States and Morocco agreed to the final requirements for import during the Plant Health Bilateral Meetings between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Morocco’s sanitary authority (ONSSA) from May 6-10, 2024.

Post expects Morocco’s Tangerine/mandarin production for MY 2023/24 to reach an estimated 950,000 metric tons, increasing 3 percent over MY 2022/23, orange production should increase by 5 percent over the previous year to 820,000 MT, while lemon/lime production will reach 40,000 MT.

Dutch apple production is expected to be down by 12 percent while the pear harvest will increase by an estimated three percent. Unfavorable growing conditions in the beginning of the growing season resulted in lower yields for apples.

Post has adjusted production numbers for tangerines/mandarins and oranges based on the latest data obtained from the Moroccan citrus industry. MY 2022/23 export figures are revised based on trade to date data.

Morocco’s MY 2022/2023 citrus production is expected to fall 35 percent from the previous season due to water scarcity and unfavorable weather. Tangerine and mandarin production are expected to decrease by 34 percent from the previous year to 900,000 MT, while orange production should fall by 35 percent to 750,000 MT.

A Value Added Tax (VAT) of zero percent for vegetables and fruit was part of the 2021 Dutch government's coalition agreement. Realizing this VAT reduction, however, has been met with several challenges pertaining to efficiency, efficacy, and feasibility.

Morocco has become the 15th-largest fruit exporter in the world by value. According to the most recent estimates (2019) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 66 percent of its land area is devoted to agriculture, with more than 7 percent devoted to fruit production.

Post production estimates for tangerines/mandarins, oranges, lemons, and orange juice remain unchanged from the December 9, 2021 Annual Citrus Report. MY 2021/22 export figures are revised based on trade data.

Post expects Morocco’s citrus production for MY 2021/22 to reach an estimated 2.55 million metric tons, increasing 12 percent over MY 2020/21. Tangerine/mandarin production should increase by 13 percent over the previous year to 1.36 MMT, while orange production should increase by 11 percent to 1.15 MMT and lemon/lime production to reach 45,000 MT.

Moroccan MY 2020/21 citrus production has benefitted from improved weather and consistent rain.