Moroccan Avocado Sector Adjusts Amid Climate Challenges
Morocco's avocado exports reached 22,000 tons in 2023, driven by investments in postharvest infrastructure. However, prolonged drought and rising temperatures are forcing a shift in production areas, with a focus on higher elevations like the Middle Atlas, necessitating substantial investments in irrigation and land preparation.
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In 2023, Morocco exported around 22,000 tons of avocados, representing 55% of national production, primarily to France, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK. Due to increasing heat stress and water scarcity, the industry anticipates a shift in cultivation to cooler, higher-altitude regions, particularly above 900 meters, which requires investment in irrigation and land preparation.
Morocco is expanding its water-management initiatives, including desalination and precision irrigation, aiming to source 60% of its water from renewable energy-powered desalination by 2030. These changes may influence supply dynamics in European markets and present opportunities for alternative suppliers such as Kenya, where differing climatic conditions exist. Effective management of these challenges will be crucial for sustaining avocado production.
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