Morocco saw strong growth in fresh asparagus exports for the fourth consecutive year this season. According to EastFruit data, in the first three months of the season, the country exported the largest volume of asparagus. Morocco positions itself as a major player on the international scene in this area.
In recent years, Moroccan asparagus exports have continued to increase even if overall volumes remain modest. Between November 2022 and March 2024, Moroccan exporters were able to bounce back vigorously. In 2024, Morocco successfully shipped 320 tonnes of asparagus, a notable development surpassing the previous season’s figure of 260 tonnes for the same period.
The report highlights that the supply period for Moroccan asparagus is gradually lengthening. While they traditionally peak between January and March, the last two years have been characterized by high and sustained sales rates until the end of May.
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Morocco’s asparagus exports mainly target the EU market, taking advantage of the early start of the asparagus season to gain a competitive advantage. For years, Spain has been the main importer of Moroccan asparagus, using it for domestic use and re-export to other countries. This season, Belgium becomes the main recipient of more than half of the shipments. While Spain represents another third of exports. The rest of the quantity is distributed to France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, the report specifies that the Middle East is also targeted as an alternative market for Moroccan asparagus exports. Notably, approximately 100 kg of asparagus was sent to Bahrain during the 2021/22 season, and a similar quantity to Qatar during the 2022/23 season. This season, Morocco exported 1.7 tonnes of asparagus to Jordan.
While the diversification of the Moroccan export market is underway, it is progressing slowly. EastFruit’s report highlights Morocco’s potential in the fresh asparagus sector. This is largely due to the Kingdom’s favorable climate, which benefits from full asparagus harvests per season and a constant supply.
