The 2023-2024 avocado season is drawing to a close. Despite the water crisis, the industry has maintained its growth, recording a new performance with national production of 65,000 tons, according to the Morocco Avocado Association (MAVA). The previous season’s production was 40,000 tons. This significant 62.5% increase has had a positive impact on shipments of this fruit, which is highly prized internationally.
«The harvest runs from October to March. This year’s results are very positive. Production reached 65,000 tons, with exports reaching 57,000 tons. The main destinations are European countries such as Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and Russia. Small volumes are also sold to Gulf countries, notably the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Prices have fluctuated between 2.5 and 4 euros per kilo «, said Abdellah Elyamlahi, President of MAVA. The local market absorbs the remaining volumes. The Hass variety, popular for its flavor, is the most dominant. Other varieties grown include Fuerte, Zutano, and Bacon.
Despite a very tough start to the season due to the violent storm of wind and rain known as Bernard, which hit the Loukkos and Gharb regions last October, the industry managed to resist. The strong winds, reaching up to 110 kilometers per hour, caused the avocados to fall. «These were of very small caliber. They were not suitable for export and were therefore sold on the local market», stresses Abdellah Elyamlahi, adding «This year, we have a size problem. The avocados are smaller». This reduces the Moroccan fruit’s chances on international markets, where competition is fierce with an abundant supply of large-caliber avocados. When asked about the impact of the drought on the industry, the President of MAVA reassured us. «It is the Southern regions that are suffering from a lack of water. In the North, where avocado is grown, agricultural water resources are good. There is the Loukkos river. Groundwater reservoirs are also very important in the Gharb region», added this professional. These resources provide a satisfactory water supply for the orchard.
Avocados were first planted in the 1950s. It was only in the early 2000s, with the establishment of the first export plantations, when the industry began to change scale and the Hass variety began to take off.
Khadija Skalli
