Morocco Citrus Fruits Market- Trend Analysis & Forecasts

Market/ Product Overview

The Moroccan citrus sector is one of the cornerstones of the country’s agricultural economy, contributing over 20% of total horticultural exports and generating annual revenues exceeding US$ ** million. The industry’s strength lies in its diversified output, led by mandarins and clementines, oranges, and lemons/limes. Citrus occupies nearly 140 thousand hectares of cultivated land, concentrated in regions such as Souss-Massa, Beni Mellal-Khenifra, Gharb, and the Oriental plains.

Domestic demand for citrus fruits is steadily rising, with consumption of oranges alone expected to surpass ** thousand tonnes in 2025, driven by rising incomes, urbanization, and a growing focus on health and nutrition. Yet, exports remain the industry’s growth engine. In 2021–22, citrus exports reached a record 766.50 thousand tonnes, a 40% increase over the prior season, generating over US$ ** million in revenues. Export performance continues to improve: mandarins and clementines make up two-thirds of Morocco’s outbound citrus shipments, oranges account for about **%, while lemons and limes hold a smaller but high-value niche.

Price competitiveness also supports growth. Average free-on-board (FOB) export prices for Moroccan citrus in 2022 hovered around US$ ** per ton, making them attractive relative to Spanish and Turkish products in key European markets. With logistical improvements—such as expanded cold chain storage and new maritime routes—Morocco is poised to strengthen its reputation as a dependable, cost-efficient citrus exporter.

Significance of Morocco in Global Citrus Fruits Supply Chain

Morocco is among the top 10 citrus exporters worldwide, with a growing role in filling seasonal supply gaps in Europe, North America, and West Africa. Its citrus export capacity, exceeding 600 thousand tonnes annually, represents nearly 10% of global trade in mandarins and clementines. The country’s unique advantage lies in its production calendar: Moroccan citrus reaches peak export season between November and February, precisely when European production slows and demand spikes in cold climates.

The Souss-Massa region alone accounts for nearly one-third of national citrus output, supported by extensive irrigated orchards and access to the port of Agadir. Other hubs such as Berkane in the Oriental region supply late-season mandarins, ensuring Morocco can serve buyers across extended marketing windows. By leveraging its geographic proximity to Europe and advanced port logistics, Morocco maintains a strong foothold in markets like France, the UK, and the Netherlands.

The country is also expanding into North America, where shipments of fresh oranges exceeded ** thousand tonnes in 2024, more than tripling year-on-year. Simultaneously, West African neighbors—including Senegal, Mauritania, and Côte d’Ivoire—are emerging as new trade partners, supported by direct shipping links from Agadir. By 2032, Morocco’s role in the global citrus value chain will be even more strategic, as buyers look for diversified, climate-resilient sourcing options.

Morocco Citrus Fruits Supply & Demand Trend

Supply-side dynamics remain robust, with production projected to grow 15–20% in 2024/25 compared to the previous season. This recovery reflects improved rainfall in major citrus zones, broader use of drip irrigation, and the introduction of new high-yield varieties such as Nadorcott and Afourer. Yields in well-managed orchards are now averaging 30–35 tons per hectare, compared with the national average of 25 tons, reflecting the benefits of precision irrigation and fertigation practices.

On the demand side, domestic consumption accounts for nearly 55–60% of total citrus output. Rising middle-class incomes and changing dietary habits are driving annual per-capita citrus consumption above 40 kilograms, one of the highest in Africa. Oranges dominate domestic sales, with around ** thousand tonnes consumed in 2024/25, followed by mandarins at ** thousand tons.

Exports represent the growth driver. Mandarins and clementines are forecast to reach ** thousand tonnes in 2025, a 27% increase over the previous year. Orange exports, though smaller, are also rising, projected at ** thousand tonnes, with lemons and limes contributing ** thousand tonnes. Export demand is supported by strong retail contracts in the EU, North America, and Gulf states, where buyers are increasingly sourcing directly from Moroccan packhouses.

Price dynamics remain volatile. While FOB export prices averaged US$ 850-1050 per ton in 2025, costs of production—including water, labor, and fertilizers—have risen 10–15% annually, pressuring margins. Nonetheless, demand remains resilient, suggesting exporters can offset rising costs through higher volumes and premium pricing strategies.

Morocco Citrus Fruits Market Growth Factors

Morocco Citrus Fruits Market Segmentation

Mandarins and clementines dominate Morocco’s citrus portfolio, with production at 1.1 million tons in 2024/25 and exports projected at 500 thousand tonnes. Oranges, though widely consumed domestically, account for ** thousand tonnes in production and around 90 thousand tonnes in exports. Lemons and limes remain smaller at ** thousand tonnes, but offer higher margins in niche export markets.

The majority of citrus is consumed fresh, both domestically and abroad. However, processing is an expanding segment: orange juice concentrate production is estimated at ** thousand tonnes annually, with exports exceeding ** thousand tonnes. Growth in processed citrus reflects rising demand for natural juices in the EU and Middle East.

Domestic consumption absorbs 55–60% of total production, led by oranges. Export channels are dominated by mandarins and clementines, which make up two-thirds of outbound shipments. Export revenues in this category exceeded US$ ** million in 2024/25, reflecting strong demand and higher margins compared to domestic sales.

Citrus production is regionally concentrated. Souss-Massa contributes about **% of national output, followed by Beni Mellal-Khenifra and the Oriental region. Export flows are heavily oriented toward the EU, which absorbs over **% of Moroccan shipments. North America and the Gulf are growing destinations, while West Africa is an emerging market thanks to new shipping routes.

This segmentation illustrates a sector anchored in mandarins and clementines, diversified by geography, and increasingly balanced between domestic and export demand.

Morocco Citrus Fruits Trade (Export & Import) Trend

Morocco is a consistent net exporter of citrus fruits, with exports exceeding ** thousand tonnes annually. In 2024–25, shipments reached a record ** thousand tonnes, generating more than US$ ** million in revenues. Mandarins and clementines account for around two-thirds of this total, followed by oranges and lemons.

The European Union remains Morocco’s largest customer, purchasing over **% of exports, particularly in France, the UK, and the Netherlands. Shipments to North America have surged, with exports of fresh oranges to the U.S. surpassing ** thousand tonnes in 2024, three times the previous year. Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, also represent growing markets, absorbing more than **% of Moroccan citrus exports in recent years.

Tariff structures under free trade agreements with the EU and U.S. are favorable, but stringent phytosanitary standards add compliance costs. Non-tariff barriers—such as maximum residue levels (MRLs) on pesticides—pose particular risks to exporters who fail to meet exacting requirements.

Imports remain minimal, limited to orange juice concentrates and small volumes of fresh citrus during off-season gaps. With new maritime links from Agadir to Dakar, Morocco is poised to strengthen its presence in West Africa, where growing urban populations offer significant untapped demand.

Influence of Morocco in Global Citrus Fruits Price

While Morocco does not dominate global citrus volumes like Brazil or China, it wields seasonal influence over prices, particularly in mandarins and clementines. Moroccan exports typically peak between November and February, a window when European supply is weaker. This gives Moroccan exporters leverage in setting contract prices in EU wholesale markets.

Average export prices have historically ranged between USD 820 and 880 per ton, with 2024 closing at US$ 850 per ton. Price volatility reflects weather impacts on supply, global demand fluctuations, and rising input costs. In seasons of drought, reduced Moroccan supply tightens European markets, lifting wholesale prices by as much as 10%. Conversely, bumper crops from Spain or Turkey during overlapping months often depress Moroccan export margins.

In North America, Moroccan oranges have gained a premium reputation, with 2024 shipments to the U.S. priced 8–10% above the global average due to their quality and timing. Over the long term, Morocco’s influence on global prices will remain seasonal and product-specific, strongest in mandarins and clementines.

Market Competitive Landscape

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Morocco’s citrus fruits market is expected to grow steadily, underpinned by rising domestic consumption, expanding exports, and continued modernization. By 2032, mandarin and clementine production is forecast to reach ** million tonnes, up from ** million tons in 2024/25, representing a CAGR of 4–5%. Orange output could expand to ** million tonnes, while lemon and lime production may double to nearly ** thousand tonnes, catering to high-value export niches. By 2032, the sector will not only sustain domestic demand but also reinforce Morocco’s reputation as a reliable, competitive supplier in global citrus markets.