Problems with the first clementines from Marrakech, Morocco

Despite the optimistic expectations of just a few months ago, the situation now looks completely different for citrus growers in the Marrakech region. "The season should have started, but there is nothing to harvest," says citrus grower Walid Bouazzaoui. Normally, the clementines from Marrakech come onto the market in mid-October and thus open the Moroccan citrus season. "But the sizes are too small and the fruit is too dry. To fill a 10 kg carton with size 2 you normally need 187 pieces. With the sizes we have now, that becomes 230. We have decided not to harvests and to adopt a wait-and-see attitude. We don't yet know whether it is just a delay or a completely missed season." Other citrus varieties expected later in the season in the Marrakech region, such as the Afourar mandarins, have suffered the same fate, according to the grower. According to previous statements, growers in other regions, such as Souss Massa, are more confident. But there too, we are still waiting for ...