Moroccan exports to the UK jump 40% this year

Moroccan food exports to the United Kingdom have increased by almost 40% since January 2021, said British Consul General and Director of the Department of International Trade in Morocco, Chris Woodward.

Since the signing of the bilateral association agreement between Morocco and the UK in 2019, trade between both countries has boomed, as the UK currently imports 25% of its tomato needs from Morocco.

The agreement entered into force in January 2021, and covers fresh agricultural products (citrus, tomatoes, berries, avocados and other market garden products …), processed agricultural products (canned, dried or frozen fruit and vegetables, olive oil, argan oil, cereals, pulses, spices, herbs, etc..) as well as fisheries products (fresh fish, canned, etc..) which benefit from a duty-free in the British tariff, subject to seasonal variations.

According to Woodward, 80% of Moroccan exports to the UK are tomatoes and citrus fruits.

In addition, 60% of sardines and 20% of soft fruit consumed in the UK in 2021 were from Morocco.

Britain contributes the most exports of goods to Morocco with a total of £83 million, while the West Midlands of England imported the most goods from Morocco for a total of £130 million.

These figures could increase as a new direct sea route between Morocco and the UK will reduce travel times from six days to less than three.

Until now, trade between Morocco and the UK has gone through Spain.

Morocco’s main international exports are seafood, fruit, and vegetables. The Kingdom is also one of the world’s largest exporters of green beans, citrus fruits, tangerines, mandarins and clementines, canned olives, tomatoes, strawberries and olive oil, chilies, and melons.

Its food imports from Morocco consist mainly of cereals such as wheat and corn, oilseeds, sugar, and dairy products. Self-sufficiency varies according to the year from 30% to 75% for cereals.

In 2019, Moroccan food imports totaled MAD 47.82 billion (+4.5% compared to 2018), while exports amounted to MAD 55.79 billion (+5% compared to 2018), with the country’s agri-food trade balance showing an exponential surplus year after year, according to the Office of Changes.

That said, and according to Chris Woodward, Morocco’s vegetables and fruits have surpassed the MAD 4 billion (or £312.6 million) exported, while Morocco’s cereal purchase from the UK approaches MAD 300 million (£23.3 million).

Meanwhile, Moroccan exports of watermelons and cucumbers to the UK have continued to increase over the past year, added Woodward.