Watermelon production volumes are expected to be lower in Morocco this year compared to 2022, as a result of water stress and the prohibition of the water-demanding fruit’s cultivation in some areas.
According to Fresh Plaza Media, some producers have moved their production to areas with available water ressources, which might suggest a stable or even larger volume than last year, but many others still doubt the fruit’s future, as water scarcity persists in the Kingdom.
Soufiane Berkache, a Moroccan fruits and vegetable exporter, tells Fresh Plaza that “there is some confusion and we are still waiting for the end of the harvest in all regions of Morocco, but I expect volumes to be lower this year because of the drought and the depletion of the water table, especially in the Souss Massa region, since many producers have moved their operations to Mauritania.”
According to Berkache, there have been some mixed results from this shift. While some producers have been able to achieve significant volumes and enter the market early, many are still in their first year of the new business, which has led to some skepticism from consumers.
Customers still don’t know much about Mauritanian watermelons, he continued.
According to the expert, there is a difference in quality; he claimed that Moroccan watermelon entered the European market first, and consumers who are familiar with Moroccan watermelon have stated that Moroccan quality is superior.
Berkache explained that exporters are currently all racing to collect harvests from growers in order to deliver big quantities, which is a large surge in prices, compared to last year.
“Volumes are still small at the first harvests, we’re waiting to see what it will be like when other regions enter the market,” concluded the expert.
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