A slight delay in the melon and watermelon campaign in Morocco

The melon and watermelon campaign in Morocco is undergoing a major interruption due to climatic conditions. The combination of persistent drought and unusually low temperatures is delaying harvests, affecting producers and exporters. Ahmed Bouljid, a fruit exporter, described the situation last week at Freshplaza as a “near suspension” of the campaign. “All watermelon-producing regions, from Souss, Al Haouz and El Kelaa des Sraghna​ to Settat and Beni Mellal, are experiencing unusually cold temperatures for this time of year,” explains Bouljid. This delays the development of melons and watermelons and exacerbates the decline in volumes caused by drought and resulting production restrictions. This shortage comes at a time of high demand, pushing prices up. “I receive orders from many markets, such as France, Italy and the Netherlands, but there are not enough volumes to serve them all,” confides Bouljid. On the local market, the situation is just as tense with prices skyrocketing. ...