Fresh Plaza
The Moroccan citrus export does not follow the increasing production rhythm anymore. The situation threatens even to get worse with the expected volume for the next two years. In 2013 a citrus production of more than 2.1 million tons is expected, whilst in 2011-2012 this still amounted to 1,8 million tons. In 2008-2009 this was still 1.5 million tons. The export production in the same period shows a decreasing tendency, however, from 540,000 tons in 2008-2009 to 465,000 tons in 2011-2012.
In the 70’s and early 90’s the export still amounted to 700,000 tons. The part which was capable of being exported of the total production was then 60-70%. An important part of this (150,000-200,000 tons) was exported in the form of juices. Today hardly 30% of the production is exported. One third of the export has therefore been lost in 20 years, except the years Morocco experienced large droughts.
Aspam, the association of citrus growers in Morocco, mentions that producers have completely acted in accordance with the aims, laid down in the commitment contract, which was drafted by the government in April 2008. More than 35% of the prescribed aims for 2015 have been realised in the meantime. The problem, however, remains the logistic and the trade.
A lot of citrus and citrus juice is imported from Spain, Turkey and Egypt. According to the producers the trade from these countries is often subsidised. Therefore painful competition. Turkey, which in 1991-1992 still exported 185,000 tons of citrus to Morocco. last season realised an export of 1.4 million tons. The Egyptian export last season amounted to 923,800 tons in 2010-2011 against 202,000 tons ten years ago. AS far as Spain is concerned they have increased their citrus export to Morocco by about one million tons in a period of 10 years
Export decrease EU
Morocco have also experienced a decrease in export to its traditional markets in the European Union. The share of 143,000 tons for clementines was only achieved for 44% this season. A new agricultural arrangement between Morocco and the European Union increased this share to 175,000 tons. The share for oranges was 306,800 tons, but this was only used for 16 to 25% during the few years. In the new agreement no share has been allocated for oranges, but an import price of Euro 26,40/100 kgs without a quantity limit has been agreed. Most of the new plantings in Morocco are for small fruit, detrimental to the orange, It is therefore now up to the professionals of the citrus to improve the export to the European Union, the producers say. They also point out, that half of the citrus export goes to Russia now, but that this creates a dangerous dependency. “Only a small economic or political incident may happen and we risk being unable to sell half of our export.”
In addition the local market is disorganised and must therefore be investigated on various facets according to the profession.There is a lot of loss, of which neither the grower nor the consumer profits. The producers price for the orange this season (which is almost over in the meantime) is between 0.11 and 0.12 Euro/kg. and will be sold for 0,33 to 0,41 Euro/kg.on the market. The difference shows clearly how much traders earn.
The program contract with the government anticipates to increase the citrus production to 2.9 million tons in 2018. The export volume shoud then reach 1.3 million tons. This is difficult to realise when the present tendency is not corrected. In the same contract it is mentioned that for this increase in production 0.74 billion Euro is required for investment expenses, of which two thirds is for the account of the professionals.
Publication date: 7/20/2012
Author: Gerard Lindhout
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com
