Morocco's tomato exports set new record, driven by value-added varieties

Moroccan tomato exports reached a record 745,000 tonnes in the 2024/2025 agricultural campaign, an 80% increase over the last decade, solidifying Morocco's position as the third-largest supplier to the European market. This growth is largely attributed to a shift towards segmented tomatoes, such as cherry, baby plum, and specialty varieties, which now constitute nearly 59% of total exports. Fatiha Charrat, Deputy General Manager of the Delassus group, noted that these segmented varieties are crucial for Moroccan competitiveness, with over 400,000 tonnes exported and a 35% increase in the past two years. While France remains the primary declared destination, Perpignan acts as a redistribution hub for markets like Germany, Scandinavia, and Austria. Moroccan exporters are increasingly pursuing direct deliveries, bypassing French platforms, with Germany's share doubling to 18% in five years. Considering re-exports through France, Morocco supplies approximately 50% of baby plum tomatoes in the German market. The export sector is concentrated, with the top ten exporters in the Souss-Massa region accounting for about 65% of total volumes, led by Azura and Duroc. Despite this success, the industry faces challenges including water scarcity, labor shortages, and rising energy costs, which increase production expenses. Future growth strategies include continued premiumization, geographical diversification, and developing new production areas like Dakhla. The 2025/2026 campaign is expect