Morocco recorded a five-year high in lemon exports during the 2024/2025 season, driven by improved orchard management and higher-yield plantations despite ongoing drought conditions, official trade data and industry sources reported.
Between November 2024 and October 2025, Morocco shipped 9,700 tonnes of lemons, valued at over $5 million, representing an 80 percent increase compared with the 2023/2024 season. The surge marks the country’s strongest performance in lemon exports since 2019/2020.
Traditionally, Morocco’s citrus shipments peaked in February before tapering sharply from April. However, the 2024/2025 season saw a more balanced distribution. Industry sources noted that April recorded the highest export volumes, while shipments in May remained robust, signalling improved production and logistics planning.
Mauritania remained Morocco’s largest market, absorbing 45 percent of total exports, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth. The United Kingdom ranked second, surpassing 1,000 tonnes for the first time in 17 years, followed by Russia with 9.2 percent of shipments. The Netherlands and Canada resumed imports after previous lulls, while exports to France declined by 20 percent, reflecting shifting European market dynamics.
Morocco’s citrus sector is part of a broader agricultural system that is central to the national economy. Agriculture contributes approximately 15 percent of gross domestic product and employs 40 to 45 percent of the workforce, combining modern, export-oriented farms with traditional rain-fed operations. Key crops include cereals, citrus, olives, and tomatoes, with recent years also seeing a rise in avocado exports.
Industry experts said the 2024/2025 lemon export growth stems from several factors. Improved orchard management, including pest control and irrigation techniques, helped mitigate the effects of persistent drought conditions in key growing regions. Additionally, the expansion of new high-yield plantations increased the available exportable supply, allowing Morocco to meet rising demand in both African and European markets.
“The season’s success reflects both technological improvements and better water management, allowing us to stabilise yields despite climate challenges,” said a Moroccan citrus exporter, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The diversification of export markets also contributed to the strong performance. While Mauritania remains the dominant regional destination, the reopening of European markets, particularly the UK and Northern Europe, has provided new growth opportunities. Exporters also reported stronger logistics and supply chain coordination, enabling more consistent shipments throughout the season rather than concentrating deliveries in traditional peak months.
Morocco has long sought to position itself as a leading exporter of citrus fruits in Africa and Europe, leveraging modern farming techniques and strategic trade relationships. The lemon sector, alongside other citrus varieties such as oranges and mandarins, is considered a key driver of agricultural exports and rural employment, particularly in southern and central regions.
Government officials and industry stakeholders said the record season underscores the importance of continued investment in irrigation infrastructure, climate-resilient farming practices, and market diversification. As climate variability remains a challenge, they emphasised that maintaining high-quality yields will be crucial for sustaining export growth.
The performance also highlights Morocco’s broader agricultural strategy, which combines modernized export-oriented farms with traditional rain-fed agriculture, balancing domestic consumption with international demand. Analysts note that similar approaches in other crop sectors, including avocados and olives, could further enhance Morocco’s position as a competitive agricultural exporter.
As Morocco celebrates its record lemon exports, the season serves as a model for sustainable agricultural growth, demonstrating how targeted investment, improved practices, and market diversification can help countries overcome climatic and logistical constraints to secure higher revenue and strengthen global trade presence.
