Positive Outlook for Moroccan Orange and Orange Juice in MY 2021/22

Published 2021년 12월 18일

Morocco’s outlook for citrus production is positive for the upcoming MY 2021/22 and orange production, in particular, is forecasted to increase by 11%. Subsequently, the volume of exports and oranges meant for processing into juice has also increased in comparison to the previous MY. Morocco has an opportunity to tap the international markets as giant orange juice processors like the U.S and Brazil face an orange shortage.

The citrus season started in Morocco in the last week of September and by November the citrus exports also pick up speed. For MY 2021/22, USDA has projected that Morocco’s citrus production will increase by 12% to reach an estimated volume of 2.55 million metric tons. The increase in citrus production is going to be driven by the growing tangerine and orange production. Overall, the favorable weather conditions and increase in area harvested in the upcoming year will be beneficial for Morocco’s citrus industry. An increase in orange production is also expected to positively impact Morocco’s ability to contribute to the global orange juice market amid a shortage.

Morocco’s orange production is forecasted at 1.15 million metric tons (MMT) for MY 2021/22 which is an 11% increase from the previous year. The increase in production has also increased the forecast for orange exports by 25% over the MY 2020/21 volumes. The domestic consumption of oranges is projected at 975,000 MT out of which 55,000 MT will be delivered to processors for processing into orange juice. The forecast for orange juice production in Morocco is also 10% percent higher than MY 2020/21. The export volumes are projected to reach 2,300 MT, about 244 MT higher than MY 2020/21.

Morocco does not have a very prominent role in the global trade of orange juice as the exports are dominated by Brazil and the U.S. During MY 2020/21, Morocco exported only 2,670 MT of orange juice which is a very small share in comparison to the volume of orange it produces and processes. In the last three MY, Morocco sent less than 5% of the oranges produced to the processors for making orange juice which has a larger demand in the market due to increased shelf life and versatility of the product.

Throughout 2021, the world faced an orange juice shortage as traditional orange juice-producing regions. Brazil (São Paulo) and the United States (Florida) struggled with adverse agro-climatic conditions and a fall in orange production. Both regions have projected that the orange production will fall for MY 2021/22 as well, resulting in lower orange volumes for processing and extracting juice. Morocco should be ready to monetize this situation by expanding its infrastructure and capability to process the orange juice and meet the sanitary requirements of top importing countries.