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Morocco's record avocado exports to Canada raise sustainability concerns amid drought
As Morocco endures its worst drought in decades, the country has set a record by exporting 1,180 tons of avocados to Canada during the 2024/25 marketing season. The surge in exports has sparked debate over the sustainability of cultivating water-intensive crops in a nation grappling with a severe water crisis.
Record exports to Canada
According to EastFruit, citing data from Statistics Canada and Global Trade Tracker, Morocco exported 1.18 thousand tons of avocados to Canada between July 2024 and April 2025, valued at $3.7 million. This marks a significant increase compared to previous years, when exports never exceeded 70 tons.
Exports began in December 2024 and peaked in January and February 2025, with over 400 tons shipped in each of those months. By January, Morocco had become Canada’s second-largest avocado supplier, trailing only Mexico. During February and March, it remained among Canada’s top three suppliers, alongside Mexico and Colombia.
Filling a supply gap
Despite Mexico’s dominance in the Canadian avocado market—supplying over 93% of imports—challenging conditions in the 2024 season created opportunities for Morocco. Heavy rains in Mexico during the summer of 2024 damaged avocado crops, reducing production by 20%. Meanwhile, trade uncertainties under U.S. President Donald Trump, including the threat of 25% tariffs on Mexican goods, further disrupted avocado exports to Canada. Although these tariffs were never implemented, heightened customs checks caused delays, prompting Canadian buyers to seek alternative suppliers.
Between December 2024 and March 2025, Mexico sent 2,500 tons fewer avocados to Canada compared to the same period the year before. Morocco stepped in to fill part of this gap, achieving its record-breaking export figures.
The drought crisis in Morocco
This milestone in avocado exports coincides with one of Morocco’s most severe water crises in history. For five consecutive years, the country has experienced drought, with rainfall levels plummeting 53% below the 30-year average. Rivers and reservoirs have dried up, crops have failed, and rural communities have suffered the most.
In response to the escalating crisis, His Majesty King Mohammed VI called on Moroccans to forgo the traditional Eid Al-Adha animal sacrifice, citing a drastic decline in livestock numbers, soaring feed costs, and water scarcity. Since 2016, livestock herds have declined by nearly 40% due to poor grazing conditions and insufficient rainfall.
Sustainability concerns
Avocado farming has come under scrutiny for its high water consumption. The crop requires substantial amounts of water to grow, which raises questions about its viability in a water-stressed country like Morocco. While the export surge has brought economic benefits, critics argue that expanding avocado cultivation risks exacerbating the country’s already dire water shortages.
As Morocco continues to navigate the dual challenges of economic growth and environmental sustainability, the debate over resource-intensive agricultural exports is likely to remain at the forefront of national discourse.