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Moroccan orange exports surge: Record-breaking success in US market
Morocco's citrus industry has achieved remarkable success in 2024, establishing itself as a key orange supplier to the United States and European markets. After facing significant challenges in 2023, the country's orange exports have reached unprecedented levels.
According to East Fruit analytics, Morocco shipped over 20,000 tons of oranges to the US in the first eleven months of 2024, surpassing both the previous year's figures and the record set in 2022. This export boom generated $29.6 million in revenue, with the US emerging as Morocco's primary orange market, accounting for more than 40 percent of the country's total orange exports.
Morocco's strategic advantage lies in its export timing. The country's main export season runs from April to July, a period when competition from major players like South Africa, China, and Mexico—who collectively control 85 percent of the US orange market—is minimal. Morocco maintains a strong position as the fourth-largest supplier, capturing 9 percent of the market share.
The success follows a challenging 2023 when drought, water scarcity, and climate change severely impacted orange production and exports. However, producers demonstrated resilience in 2024 by implementing innovative farming techniques and developing effective strategies to combat climate-related challenges.
Morocco's orange cultivation focuses primarily on two varieties: the Navel orange, popular for its sweet taste and easy-to-peel characteristics, and the Valencia orange, which is particularly suitable for juice production. These varieties thrive in the country's prime citrus-growing regions of Souss-Massa, Gharb, and Tadla.
The industry's recovery has enabled Morocco to expand its orange exports not only to the US but also to other significant markets, including Europe and Russia, marking a substantial turnaround for the sector.