Morocco’s banana imports surge amid declining local production

Morocco imported over 36,000 tons of bananas in 2024, marking a 28.8% increase from the previous year and double the volume of 2022. This surge, according to data compiled by EastFruit, comes as local production fell to 309,000 tons in 2023, a 7.5% decline due to reduced cultivated areas.

While Ecuador and Costa Rica were once Morocco’s main suppliers, Spain and Portugal have gained a growing share of the market, exporting the same banana varieties found locally. Imports peak from July to October when domestic supply is low.

Meanwhile, Morocco’s banana exports continue to decline, with only 250 tons shipped in 2024, compared to 280 tons in 2023 and 460 tons in 2022.

In April 2025, a trade mission led by FAO/EBRD and FoodEx Morocco will aim to connect Moroccan exporters with Southeast Asian markets, a fast-growing hub for fruit and vegetable imports.