Rabat: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Morocco has dramatically revived its potato exports during the ongoing 2024-2025 season after five years of steady decline, according to EastFruit, an agriculture-focused news website. The North African country shipped 42,900 tons of consumer potatoes worth $14.9 million between July 2024 and May 2025. This volume marks a 5.7-fold increase compared to the previous season and represents 1.5 times more than the 2022-2023 campaign. EastFruit’s report attributed this recovery to renewed trade with West African countries and sustained European demand.
Morocco’s potato export industry hit rock bottom in the 2023-2024 season, when the country shipped only 7,400 tons. This dramatic drop caused Morocco to fall from 28th to 67th place among global potato exporters. The decline began after the country’s peak export year of 2018-2019, when the country shipped nearly 100,000 tons. Year after year, export volumes shrank as Morocco lost market share to competitors.
Moroccan authorities imposed an embargo on exports to West Africa from February 2023 to July 2024. Officials said this policy was designed to protect the domestic market, stabilize local prices, and prevent shortages during periods of low production. During the embargo, Morocco concentrated its limited exports on European markets. The government later replaced the embargo with a quota system, allowing trade with West African partners to resume.
Mauritania and Mali have become Morocco’s top export destinations again, accounting for nearly half of all shipped volumes in 2024-2025. These countries prefer regional suppliers over distant sources due to global supply chain uncertainties. Spain remains a key European market, with shipments showing strong growth. France, Portugal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal also posted significant increases. However, exports to the Netherlands, Burkina Faso, and Niger dropped sharply.
Morocco’s potato exports follow a distinct seasonal pattern. The country ships most potatoes during two peak periods: July to September and February to April. This timing aligns with the country’s harvest seasons and international market demand. While the 2024-2025 recovery shows Morocco’s ability to regain market share, the industry faces ongoing challenges. Weather conditions, water availability, and trading partners’ commercial policies all affect export performance. The 2023 embargo revealed how regulatory decisions can impact Moroccan producers. Climate factors and irrigation access continue to influence production levels and export capacity.
