Moroccan exports of watermelons saw a record decline during the first ten months of 2024, reaching only 113,500 tonnes, the lowest level since 2017. Persistent drought and cultivation restrictions in certain regions of the kingdom would explain this decline. .
According to EastFruit, Morocco exported only 113,500 tonnes with an estimated value of $96 million, between January and October 2024. With this volume of exports, the kingdom records a historic decline for the second consecutive year and is not expected be among the Top 10 global watermelon exporters in 2024.
France remains the leading country for exporting Moroccan watermelons, with almost half of shipments. It is followed by Spain, with around a quarter, the United Kingdom (7%), Belgium (6%) and the Netherlands (5%). In total, Morocco exported its watermelons to 25 countries in 2024, with respective volumes of more than 1,000 tonnes.
Read: Moroccan watermelons: a plummet in exports to Europe
-This record drop in exports is explained by the severe drought affecting Morocco, causing a water shortage and leading to bans on watermelon cultivation in certain regions of the kingdom. According to EastFruit, Tata province has even stopped watermelon production, while several illegal plantations were recently destroyed in Zagora.
The authorities have taken these measures to ration water and deal with the water crisis. The objective is to limit water-intensive crops in order to preserve natural resources in the regions most affected by drought.
Morocco
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