Morocco, bad weather reduce citrus export estimates

Heavy rainfalls affected citrus fruit production in Morocco, thus resizing export volume forecasts, which dropped from 532,000 expected tons in October, to 460,000 tons.

Unusually abundant rainfall have reduced export expectations for Moroccan citrus fruits, because of the damage registered in some production areas, announced the Moroccan Association of Citrus Fruit Exporters (ASPAM).

In an interview with Reuters, the association reports that "at the beginning of the season - last October - estimates regarding the export of citrus were around 532,000 tons, now the forecast has dwindled to only 460,000 tons. "

Citrus fruits are the first item of Moroccan exports, accounting for 30% of total agricultural exports. Morocco is now the fourth largest exporter in the Mediterranean region, preceded by Spain (first place), Turkey and Egypt.

In the region of Gharb, the country's main citrus production area, rainfall amounted to 746 mm in the period from September to March: according to government officials, it is the higher level in 40 years.

The result was a general flooding of the plantations in the region of Gharb (which produces 30% of national citrus), with a loss of fruit for a volume estimated at 50,000 tons.

Even the southern region of Souss, another area suited for citrus (with a share of 45% of national production) has been damaged due to heavy rain, with an estimated loss of 40,000 tonnes of fruit.

Many trees have died from asphyxiation due to radical stagnation of water. It is expected to take at least five years to restore production in the plants that were explanted and replaced. This factor will therefore impact on production volumes for the seasons to come.

In Morocco, agriculture produces 17% of national GDP and employs 40% of the total workforce in the country. The Moroccan government is investing significant resources in agriculture, through the "Green Plan".