Report: Morocco expands fruit exports and cements its place among Africa’s top producers

Morocco is climbing the ranks as one of Africa’s top fruit exporters, thanks to its prime location close to European markets and rising international demand for fresh produce. 

According to a new joint report by the OECD and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the country’s fruit exports jumped from under $200 million in 2000 to over $2 billion in 2022.

Even though exports dipped slightly in 2023, Morocco still held onto its spot as the third-largest fruit exporter in Africa, right after South Africa (with over $4.5 billion) and Egypt (with more than $2.5 billion). 

Citrus fruits, early seasonal produce, and berries are among the country’s most in-demand exports.

But Morocco isn’t just a major exporter, it’s also one of the biggest fruit producers on the continent, along with Algeria, Egypt, South Africa, and Nigeria. 

That balance between producing for local consumption and exporting for profit is seen by experts as a strong point, especially in a tough and competitive agricultural scene across Africa.

The 2025–2034 agricultural outlook report goes beyond Morocco and paints a bigger picture of global food systems. 

The outlook report forecasts that agricultural and fish production worldwide will grow by 14% in the next decade, mostly driven by productivity in middle-income countries.

With the right investment, that growth could also help cut agricultural emissions and fight hunger.

However, some critics in Morocco are calling for taxes on exporters, arguing it’s unfair to give benefits to large-scale producers who aren’t serving the local market. 

Others pointed to the plight of small farmers, saying they deserve more government support instead of seeing big agro-projects dominate.