With the arrival of summer, strawberries are making a comeback, delighting the taste buds of young and old alike. Morocco maintains its status as a leader in the production of this summer fruit. In 2024, the country will be among the world’s top ten strawberry producers.
Strawberries are among the most popular fruits across the globe. According to World Population Review, a specialized American site, Morocco produces 166,955 tonnes of strawberries annually. This performance places the kingdom among the world leaders in this sector.
The global demand for strawberries is constantly increasing. The world’s top three producers are China, the United States and Egypt. In 2023, China produced 3,336,690 tonnes of strawberries, consolidating its position as the world’s leading producer since 1994, according to FAO data. The United States, with a production of 1,055,963 tonnes, is in second place, while Egypt, slightly ahead of Mexico, is third with 597,029 tonnes. Turkey follows closely with 546,525 tonnes. The other countries among the top ten producers are Spain, Brazil, Russia, Poland and finally Morocco.
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Agricultural experts point out that “farmers are growing more strawberries to meet growing global demand.” However, unpredictable weather and extreme weather events put crops at risk, sometimes creating demand that exceeds available supply. Strawberries, due to their delicate nature, require careful harvesting and immediate refrigeration for transportation, limiting their ability to travel long distances without adequate infrastructure.
In China, three provinces – Hebei, Shandong and Liaoning – account for more than 60% of national production. In the United States, 90% of strawberries come from California, with the remaining 10% grown in Florida, Oregon, North Carolina and Michigan. In Egypt, the main producing regions are Ismailia, Beheira and Qaluobia.
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In temperate zones of the northern hemisphere, strawberries mainly ripen in early summer. However, regions closer to the equator benefit from a longer growing season, allowing strawberries to be available even during the winter months, provided that transportation and refrigeration infrastructure is adequate. For example, consumers in the northern United States can enjoy Mexican strawberries throughout the winter.
So, despite the challenges, Morocco continues to shine in strawberry production, offering the world these delicious and nutritious little red fruits. As summer is in full swing, Moroccan strawberries promise to once again delight fruit lovers.
