Export expectations are the only major changes made in a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) semi-annual citrus report for Morocco. Production forecasts remain the same as in the agency’s December 2023 annual citrus report.Here’s a look at the export changes:
TANGERINES/MANDARINS
Tangerine/mandarin export expectations for 2023–24 were revised down to 400,000 metric tons (MT) from actual exports of 453,000 MT a year earlier. Geopolitical events, including the wars in Ukraine and Israel, have led to three major challenges for Moroccan exports. They are 1) inflation of inputs and logistical costs, 2) the closure of the Suez Canal and blocked access to markets in the Middle East and Asia, and 3) increased competition from Spain, Chile and Türkiye.
Chile produces a large volume of clementines and, with new late-season varieties, has extended its export season, adding to the competitive pressure on Moroccan citrus in the North American market. Typically, Morocco would enter the market on the North American East Coast in November, but with more late-season varieties, Chile has cut into these exports.
The biggest markets for Moroccan tangerines/mandarins are, in order: the European Union, Russia, the United States and Canada.
ORANGES AND ORANGE JUICE
Fresh orange exports in 2023–24 are expected to increase to 40,000 MT from 39,000 the prior season.
Moroccan fresh orange exporters are facing significant competition from Egypt. Primary markets for Moroccan oranges are the European Union, Canada, the United States and Russia.
Moroccan orange juice exports are expected to decline to 2,500 MT in 2023–24 down from 2,882 MT the prior season.
LEMONS/LIMES
USDA FAS revised its lemon/limes export numbers for 2023–24 downward to 4,000 MT from 7,000 MT the prior season. It reported that Moroccan exporters have opted to prioritize the local market due to favorable pricing.
PRODUCTION NOTES
Although production expectations weren’t changed in the latest report, USDA FAS did offer some observations about production. It cited citrus industry reports that two consecutive seasons of low production in Morocco are due to higher temperatures and drought. The extreme heat of summer 2023 negatively impacted flowering, and the lack of rain had severe consequences.
USDA FAS reported seeing ample evidence of abandoned orchards during a recent visit to Morocco’s Northeast region.
Source: USDA FAS
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