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Morocco loses 30% of citrus harvest yearly due to poor logistics infrastructure
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Drought has reduced orchard area and cut exports by nearly one-third
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Government aims to revive exports with incentives and better post-harvest systems
Morocco’s citrus industry, the country’s second-largest fruit export after berries, is under growing pressure from drought and inadequate logistics systems that cause large-scale post-harvest losses.
According to Kacem Bennani Smires, president of Maroc Citrus, poor management in storage, transport, and cold chain infrastructure leads to an estimated 30% loss in citrus production every year. Speaking to Médias 24 on May 13, he said the current system lacks the modern tools needed to maintain quality and reduce waste between harvest and delivery.
The impact of drought is also significant. Maroc Citrus reports that over the past eight years, Morocco lost nearly one-third of its citrus orchards, shrinking from 128,000 hectares in 2016 to 91,000 hectares in 2024. Production dropped from 2.3 million tons in 2016/2017 to 1.8 million tons in 2023/2024, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Exports declined from 640,000 tons to 457,000 tons in the same period—a 29% decrease.
Industry leaders believe that investing in infrastructure to improve post-harvest handling could help balance some of the losses caused by climate conditions and support exports. Cold storage, better transport systems, and warehouse upgrades are seen as key steps.
The government is working to revive export activity, especially for oranges, which have seen falling volumes. One of the measures includes an export bonus of 1,000 dirhams ($107.7) per ton for citrus sent to the EU, UK, and Africa, available through 2028.
Despite the challenges, Morocco still earned $554.1 million from citrus exports in 2024, according to data from Trade Map, showing the sector’s untapped potential if losses are reduced and infrastructure is improved.
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