Avocado cultivation has risen sharply in recent years, partly thanks to government financial support. But, that well has run dry. Why? The country is experiencing severe drought, making water management a high priority. Also, this season's avocado crop is much smaller.
Morocco's avocado season started in mid-October, and that country is expecting a much smaller harvest. "There should be up to 60% fewer Fuerte avocados. For Hass avocados, that 30%," begins Mehdi Haddadi, director of Med Fruit Europe. "Last year was excellent, but a lesser one always follows that. That downturn is compounded this season. There was a lot of rain during the avocados' flowering period, so fewer fruits set."
Most Moroccan avocados are grown along the country's coast, from Larache to Rabat. Mehdi explains that those areas have mild winters. "New cultivation areas are being sought, though. That's also badly needed because the current growing area is exhausted. There's been a lot of production in recent years but little rainfall. Growers are running out of water. Will the reduced crop cause problems? I don't expect so. We're not volume-driven; we focus on quality."
Moroccan avocado cultivation developing significantly
He says avocados from Morocco as similar to those from Spain. Growing conditions are about the same, and these growing countries match in quality and low MRLs. "There are fewer Spanish avocados this season too. The Moroccan avocado sector has grown significantly and has professionalized in recent years. Morocco is now among the world's ten largest avocado-growing countries. Plus, plantations increasingly meet the standards demanded by European supermarkets, and several are certified organic," says Haddadi.
Severe water shortage
That rapid development is partly thanks to the Moroccan government that, for six years, financially supported avocado cultivation. Now, due to a severe water shortage, that subsidy program has stopped. "Water availability is the sector's biggest challenge, making its management incredibly important. More and more growers see the need for that and are investing in water management certificates. They can use this to show they handle their water deliberately and sustainably; something retailers also demand."
Med Fruit Europe is located in the Food Center in Amsterdam and supplies supermarkets, market vendors, the hospitality industry, and wholesalers. It owns two avocado plantations in Morocco. Some of the avocadoes grown there are destined for the European market. "The rest remains in Morocco, which has a good local market," continues Mehdi. "It is a true avocado-consumption country. People there don't only eat them fresh; they often use them in things like shakes."
Average season with lower volumes expected
This season should be similar to the last one. "There will be a short-lived shortage in November. Peru stops then, Chile sends less to Europe, while Mexico exports mostly to the United States. Demand should peak, and supply should drop between mid-October and late November. Order-wise, we have to rely mainly on the period after January. We obviously notice the huge cost price increases' role. Cultivation, packaging, transportation, everything is getting pricier for the growers and us. Add economic uncertainty to that. We'll have to wait and see how it all develops," concludes Mehdi.
Medhi Haddadi
mehdi@medfruit.nl
Med Fruit Europe
+31(0)20 3343253
info@medfruit.nl
www.medfruit.nl