High citrus prices on the Moroccan local market hinder exports

The late start of the Moroccan citrus season and the abundance of small sizes among the early clementines cast a shadow over exports. And the situation is even more complicated for exporters targeting North America. “Last year we shipped the first shipment of citrus to the US at the end of October,” says Yassine Fellah of Canmar Produce, a Moroccan citrus exporter specializing in the North American market. "This year we are working hard to get the first shipment to that market before November 11. The drought has delayed fruit ripening and early clementines are rare this year. In fact, there are about 10 to 20 percent fewer early clementines than initially expected. There is an abundance of small fruits and they are not immediately popular in most markets where Moroccan citrus is sold." “Exports are now competing with the local market,” Fellah added. "Due to the lack of volumes in recent years, there has been a high demand for citrus in Morocco itself, making the local market our ...