Morocco dominates Norway’s raspberry, blackberry market with record 707-tonne shipments
By the close of the marketing year, Morocco had shipped 215 tons more than Portugal, reclaiming the number one position.
MOROCCO – Morocco has consolidated its position as Norway’s leading supplier of fresh raspberries and blackberries, achieving a decisive breakthrough in Marketing Year 2025/26, with imports exceeding 50% of Norway’s total berry intake for the first time.
Between July 2025 and June 2026, Norway imported 707 tonnes of raspberries and blackberries from Morocco, valued at more than €9.3 million, marking a 22% increase on MY 2024/25 and setting a new record.
The achievement is particularly striking given that Norway’s overall berry imports declined during the same marketing year. Norway is a relatively small but attractive market. Domestic raspberry production covers part of summer demand but is constrained by climate, making imports critical to meeting consumer needs for the rest of the year.
Furthermore, Morocco’s export window runs from October to May, with demand peaking in winter and late spring. In MY 2025/26, shipments in the winter months grew only modestly, but the decisive breakthrough came in May, when imports surged to a record 216 tons, more than double the previous year’s level.
May is traditionally a pivotal month, bridging winter imports and the start of Norway’s local season. Morocco capitalized on this window more effectively than any competitor. Moroccan exports help bridge Norway’s seasonal agricultural gaps by supplying berries when domestic production is limited, particularly in winter and late spring.
Portugal and Morocco form the backbone of Norway’s raspberry and blackberry supply, with smaller volumes arriving from the Netherlands, Spain, Mexico, and Poland. Spain’s role has diminished in recent years, while Portugal’s exports fell sharply in MY 2025/26, down nearly 27% on MY 2024/25, particularly towards the end of the year.
This decline left a gap that Moroccan exporters quickly filled. By the close of the marketing year, Morocco had shipped 215 tons more than Portugal, reclaiming the number one position.
Moreover, several factors enabled Morocco to dominate Norway’s berry market, including strategic seasonal timing, with exports concentrated during Norway’s off-season; competitive pricing; consistent quality; and the ability to increase shipments during critical periods, such as May.
However, whether Morocco can sustain this lead will depend on its performance during the critical December–January period and its ability to deliver strong volumes again in May.
Finally, Morocco’s record-breaking dominance in Norway’s berry market demonstrates its capacity to compete effectively in high-value European markets and to build on its reputation as a reliable supplier of premium fresh produce.
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