Following significant cost increases, some Egyptian strawberry producers have announced that their prices for fresh strawberries will double this season compared to the previous one. Moroccan exporters consider this development as good news.
Ahmed Bouljid, a fresh produce exporter based in Larache, says: “Egypt has long exported its strawberries at excessively low prices. This fierce competition has always influenced planting decisions in Morocco, but today we can only be relieved that Egypt is finally aligning its prices with those of the competition, as happened with late varieties of mandarins.”
“This competition from Egypt in the strawberry sector, combined with the difficult climatic conditions of recent times, has prompted several Moroccan producers to withdraw from the sector and turn to blueberries or avocados. The areas in Morocco have significantly decreased and producers decided this season to plant strawberries later than usual,” continues Mr. Bouljid.
The first Moroccan harvests of fresh strawberries are now arriving on the market and obtaining good prices according to Bouljid. “But it is still too early to say what the prices of Moroccan strawberries will be like this season. We will have to wait for the arrival of significant volumes to judge the reaction of the markets to the increase in prices in Egypt.”
“It's not just competitive prices that come into play. This season, Moroccan strawberries are of much better quality thanks to late planting which coincided with better climatic conditions, which will play a role decisive in setting their prices.
This season, it is too late for Moroccan producers to seize the opportunity of the new competitive configuration in terms of volumes, according to Bouljid. He explains: “The first planting cycle is long and it is too late to add areas. The second cycle is more for frozen strawberries. If we have to seize the opportunity, it will be more in commercial terms.”
“We will see how the season goes. If we are talking about a renewed interest in strawberries in Morocco, it will be next season. In any case, it is a relief to know that we will have fairer competition” .
For more information:
Ahmed Bouljid
Lexus Cold Storage Warehouse
Such. : +212 661-177735
[email protected]
