Morocco doubles UK sweet pepper exports, secures fourth place among suppliers 

MOROCCO – Morocco has sharply expanded its presence in the UK fresh-vegetable market, doubling sweet-pepper exports in 2025 to 8,100 tonnes and setting a new bilateral record, according to EastFruit.  

Since 2020, shipments have grown 35-fold, at an average annual growth rate of 104%, signalling a fundamental shift in UK sourcing patterns. 

The UK market relies heavily on sweet pepper imports, with the Netherlands and Spain together accounting for 83% of volumes in 2025.  

Morocco’s competitive edge lies in the November-to-April window, when winter demand is high. Spain, France, Germany, and Türkiye are the main rivals. While France, Germany, and Spain all reduced exports in 2025, Morocco capitalized on stable logistics and lower pricing to expand its footprint.  

By year-end, Morocco’s share of UK sweet pepper imports had risen to 3.65%, up from 1.7% in 2024, overtaking France and nearly matching Germany, securing fourth place among suppliers.  

This achievement complements Morocco’s broader success in the UK fresh-produce sector, where it already dominates the berry market as the leading supplier of blueberries and raspberries. 

The economic factors influencing Morocco’s edge include geographic proximity to European markets, lower labour and production costs than in Spain and the Netherlands, and stable shipping routes that avoid Red Sea disruptions affecting Asian competitors. 

Morocco’s success with berries has clearly translated into success with vegetables. The same logistics infrastructure that made Morocco the UK’s top supplier of blueberries and raspberries has been applied to sweet peppers.  

This cross-category competence suggests that Morocco is building a diversified fresh-produce export platform rather than a single-commodity success story. 

For investors, opportunities exist across Morocco’s agricultural infrastructure. Cold storage facilities near ports, greenhouse expansion, and packhouse modernization all support continued export growth.  

Additionally, Morocco’s ability to supply the UK during the winter months, when European production lags, provides a reliable revenue stream for investors backing greenhouse operations with extended-season capabilities. 

With strong momentum and proven competitiveness, Morocco is well placed to become a key player in the UK sweet pepper market. Continued growth could reshape the country’s import structure, reducing reliance on traditional European suppliers and strengthening Morocco’s position as a vital trade partner for British fresh produce. 

Finally, for stakeholders in the food industry, Morocco’s trajectory shows that strategic investment in logistics, quality, and winter production can unlock sustained export growth into premium markets. 

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