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Morocco's melon and watermelon season has been severely disrupted this year by exceptional weather conditions. Unseasonably cold temperatures and persistent drought have crippled production. The main producing regions, notably Souss, Al Haouz, El Kelaa des Sraghna, Settat, and Beni Mellal, saw harvests delayed, further exacerbating the shortage, reports FreshPlaza.
The consequences of this crisis are being felt on both local and international markets. Prices for melons and watermelons have risen considerably, reaching an average of 7 dirhams per kilo (around €0.65). Ahmed Bouljid, an exporter, says he receives orders from across Europe, including France, Italy, and the Netherlands, but insufficient volumes are available to meet this growing demand. However, production is expected to pick up in the coming weeks, with the peak harvest scheduled for the second week of June.
Despite the challenges, Moroccan exporters have successfully adapted to stricter sanitary requirements imposed after an early-season alert concerning pesticide residues. Thanks to the efforts of ONSSA and Morocco Foodex, product quality is guaranteed, and the export process, though rigorous, remains efficient. Ahmed Bouljid points out that these strict measures have been well integrated, ensuring the sector's resilience in the face of a complex situation.
