Morocco: Big Jump in Citrus Production Expected

Ernie Neff International

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) expects total citrus production in Morocco to reach an estimated 2.55 million metric tons (MMT) in 2021-22. That’s an increase of 12% over 2020-21.

Morocco Citrus Production

Tangerine/mandarin production should increase by 13% over the previous year to 1.36 MMT. Domestic consumption is expected to be 860,000 metric tons (MT), an increase of 16%. Tangerine/mandarin exports are projected to reach 500,000 MT, 8% higher than 2020-21. Russia and the European Union remain Morocco’s top export markets.

Fresh orange production is forecast at 1.15 MMT, up 11% over 2020-21 due to good weather conditions and increased area as new orchards begin production. Domestic consumption of fresh oranges is estimated at 975,000 MT, an increase of 9% over the previous season. Orange exports for 2021-22 are expected to reach 120,000 MT, a 25% rise over the prior year.

Fresh lemon and lime production for 2021-22 is expected to reach 45,000 MT, about 2% higher than 2020-21. Production increases are due to the increase in area harvested and yields. Domestic consumption is expected to rise slightly to 35,000 MT. Lemon/lime exports for 2021-22 will likely be flat at 10,000 MT.

Orange juice production for 2021-22 is forecast at 55,000 MT, 10% higher than the previous year. Domestic consumption is expected to climb to 4,700 MT, up 4% over the previous season. Orange juice exports are expected to reach 2,300 MT, about 244 MT higher than in 2020-21. Morocco is expected to import 1,500 MT of orange juice, a decrease of 56 MT over the previous year. Decreased imports reflect domestic production upsurges.

See the full FAS report on Morocco. The report lists an array of Moroccan government incentive measures that support citrus growers and encourage new investment in citrus production.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service

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