Economy

The Ever-Evolving Landscape of Date Imports in Morocco

Monday 24 June 2024 - 08:20

In a market that ebbs and flows with the rhythms of the seasons, Morocco remains a significant importer of dates during the 2023/2024 campaign, as revealed by the latest report from the specialized platform EastFruit. Despite robust figures, the Kingdom may witness slightly lower imports compared to the previous season, owing to the burgeoning domestic production of this delectable fruit.

During the period spanning October 2023 to March 2024, Morocco has already imported nearly 103,000 metric tons of dates, approaching the comparable volume of the preceding year. This level of importation surpasses the average of the three preceding seasons.

However, two major factors are poised to impede Morocco's quest to surpass the records set during the 2022/2023 campaign, as highlighted by EastFruit. Firstly, the local production of dates has witnessed a 7% surge in 2023, reaching an estimated 115,000 metric tons, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Additionally, the peak of date imports traditionally coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, a period when volumes soar to their zenith just before and during the sacred month.

Due to the annual fluctuation of Ramadan's dates, the volumes of date imports are subject to adjustments. Consequently, for the 2023/2024 season, the peak of imports was reached as early as February, suggesting that the remaining quantities to be imported will likely fall short of those recorded during the previous season, according to the same source.

It is worth noting that Morocco, ranked as the second-largest importer of dates globally after India, remains an essential market for this succulent fruit. Dates represent the foremost category of fruits and vegetables imported into Morocco, with approximately 90% of imports originating from four major countries: the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria.

Among these nations, the United Arab Emirates dominates the export landscape. However, during the current season, Egypt could potentially surpass the United Arab Emirates in the Moroccan market, thanks to its active growth in global exports. Notably, Egypt established a new record in 2022/2023 and has already delivered more than 33,000 metric tons of dates to Morocco from October 2023 to March 2024, outpacing its competitors in the lucrative Moroccan date market.

As the seasons ebb and flow, Morocco's appetite for dates remains unwavering. The ever-evolving landscape of imports reflects the Kingdom's enduring passion for this cherished fruit. While domestic production rises, the allure of imported dates from Arabia and beyond continues to captivate the Moroccan palate, ensuring that the sweet aroma of dates remains a perennial presence in the nation's culinary tapestry.