Morocco supplies majority of Spain, France’s watermelon imports despite struggles with drought
Morocco recorded a tremendous agricultural yield in 2023 as it supplied two-thirds of Spain’s watermelon needs and accounted for 45% of France’s watermelon imports, despite the country’s struggles with ongoing drought conditions.
Watermelon exports have played a crucial role in Morocco’s agricultural success, helping the country rank as the world’s 15th largest fruit exporter by value, according to the US Foreign Agriculture Service.
However, Morocco faces increasing competition from Senegal and Mauritania in the European watermelon market.
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Watermelon farms in Morocco’s southern desert regions have been criticized for depleting underground water resources. In response, the Agriculture Ministry has implemented restrictions on these farms to reduce water usage.
Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture discontinued irrigation subsidies for water-intensive crops such as avocados, watermelons, and citrus fruits in September 2022.
Between 2017 and 2022, Morocco’s watermelon exports grew at an average annual rate of 13%, with production doubling to 300,000 tonnes by the end of 2022.
During the first half of 2023, exports showed a significant slowdown, with shipments to Spain plunging by 50%, though Morocco remains the primary supplier in the Spanish market.
Morocco’s water resources have been severely impacted by worsening climate change and consecutive droughts. The World Bank has ranked Morocco among the countries with the lowest water resources per capita.
