The Moroccan potato seed market is now open to the United States. This was stated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in a note published on June 3. This green light marks the end of a long regulatory process begun in 2015. The introduction of American seeds is awaited by Moroccan agri-food manufacturers who have expressed their interest in importing American varieties to plant in order to be able to manufacture chips and fries made from American potatoes.
In Morocco, the persistent drought for six years is affecting agricultural production. In the potato sector, the Kingdom is increasingly resorting to seed imports to support local production. Thus, Morocco has officially opened its market for American potato seeds, according to a note from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published on June 3.
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The green light for the importation of American seed potato seeds was given following the signing of an operational work plan by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or APHIS) of the American Department of Agriculture and the National Food Safety Office (ONSSA) on May 10. This document constitutes the final step to authorize the arrival of these seeds on Moroccan territory. This authorization from the Moroccan authorities through the also marks the end of a regulatory process which began in 2015.
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The Moroccan food industry has expressed interest in importing American varieties of potatoes for planting, which it can use to make chips and fries. The US Department of Agriculture estimates the Moroccan market potential in terms of seed potatoes at around $8 million, specifying that US exporters will be able to start shipping their products as soon as there are Moroccan buyers.
In 2023, Morocco imported more than $42 million worth of seed potatoes, mainly from the European Union (Netherlands, Denmark and France) and the United Kingdom.
To meet growing demand and diversify its sources, Morocco had already approved the importation of potato seeds from Egypt last April. The United States, for its part, is positioned as the 8th largest exporter of potato seeds in the world, with more than 42,000 tonnes exported in 2022.
