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The figures for Morocco’s 2022 olive oil exports show an 85 percent growth in volume and a 49 percent growth in value compared to 2021.
Data released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development show that such growth fares well above the average for Moroccan food exports. In 2022, agricultural and maritime food shipments grew 20 percent from the previous year.
According to the Ministry, Morocco’s overall agricultural and agri-food exports exceeded MAD 73.8 million (€6,6 million) in November 2022. Much of that increased value is due to higher exports to the North American markets.
As reported by H24info, data from December 2022 shows that the country surpassed the MAD 80 million threshold in food export value for the first time. In 2021, it reported a total of MAD 62.36 million.
International Olive Council figures show that in the 2021/2022 season, Morocco exported 28 thousand tons of olive oil, more than doubling the previous two years’ numbers.
Olive oil export estimates for 2023 remain uncertain due to the significantly reduced production reported by some of the principal producing counties. This drop has triggered price increases and volatility in the import/export markets.
While official harvest figures are still lacking, local observers have confirmed a significant olive oil yield decrease in Morocco. The main reasons are rainfall scarcity, heatwaves and drought. These climate factors affected the many rainfed olive orchards in Morocco, just as they have hurt the harvest in other countries of the western Mediterranean Basin.
Because of the fall in production, olive oil prices for Moroccan consumers have also grown significantly.
As reported by Bladi.net, the National Food Safety Office (NFSO) has announced a round of strict checks on olive oil traded in the country.
Recently, Rachid Benali, president of Morocco’s Interprofessional Olive Oil Association (Interprolive), warned consumers that an increase in olive oil fraud is likely.
See Also:Low Availability and Rising Prices Spark Concerns of Olive Oil Fraud in MoroccoAbout 85 percent of all olive oil consumed in the country is marketed in bulk, making it more difficult for law enforcement officials to counter potential fraud.
That is why NFSO has appealed to Moroccan citizens to purchase only products correctly labeled, duly packaged and recommended by the agency.
In the last few days, the matter has reached the Moroccan Parliament. As reported by LeSiteInfo, representative Rachid Hamouni from the Party of Progress and Socialism warned his colleagues that the MAD 80 (€7,25) threshold for a one-liter bottle of olive oil has already been reached in several areas.
Hamouni warned against trade speculations, which, in his view, are also causing rises in olive oil prices.
During a session of the House of Representatives, the Government was officially asked about the measures they will take to keep olive oil prices affordable for all families since olive oil plays a crucial role in the local culinary tradition.
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