Morocco’s avocado exports drop to 58,000 tons after difficult season
Despite reduced supply, prices remained high throughout the season.
MOROCCO – Morocco’s avocado export campaign has closed at 58,000 tons for the 2025/2026 season, a sharp decline from the record 100,000 tons achieved the previous year. Industry leaders describe the season as “exceptional and very difficult,” citing unfavorable weather, logistical bottlenecks, and fierce competition in European markets.
Abdellah El Yamlahi, president of the Moroccan Avocado Association, explained, “This lack of volume made the campaign especially complex and unusual,” he said.
Despite reduced supply, prices remained high throughout the season, which in turn made it harder for exporters to move products to international markets.
For hospitality operators across the Middle East and Africa, Morocco’s supply contraction translates directly to procurement challenges. The Gulf region, which has developed strong sourcing relationships with Moroccan producers, must now evaluate alternative origins or absorb elevated costs that pressure margins.
To begin with, unfavorable weather caused much of the volume decline. Early heatwaves wiped out nearly half of expected production, creating tensions between producers and exporters overpricing.
Then, as the season concluded, floods and strong winds hit key growing areas including Loukkos and Gharb, causing additional crop losses.
In addition, logistical complications compounded the problem with port closures due to bad weather, limited transport availability, and extended delays affecting fruit quality, particularly in the final weeks.
At the same time, Moroccan exporters faced extended periods of oversupply from competing avocado-producing countries in the European market, forcing temporary harvest pauses and adding pressure on operators.
For regional investors, Morocco’s production volatility signals both risk and opportunity. Climate patterns increasingly dictate output, meaning investment in irrigation technology, greenhouse infrastructure, and post-harvest facilities could stabilize supply and command premium returns.
Additionally, the contraction highlights the value of diversified sourcing platforms that aggregate from multiple African origins to buffer against country-specific disruptions.
Beyond production, Morocco’s avocado industry continues to face scrutiny over water consumption, particularly as the crop requires significant irrigation in a country that has endured years of drought. However, recent heavy rainfall has improved national water reserves, offering some relief to farmers and the broader agricultural sector.
Looking ahead, industry professionals hope this difficult season proves exceptional and that Morocco’s avocado sector returns to its recent growth trajectory.
For hospitality buyers and investors, the season underscores that climate volatility and logistical fragility demand proactive supply chain diversification and strategic investment in resilience.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
