In Morocco, the agricultural sector is the third largest export sector, behind mining and industry. The country’s agri-food industry achieved its best ever export performance in 2022, thanks to breakthroughs in a number of markets.
In Morocco, shipments of agri-food products to the United States totaled $439 million in 2022. This was revealed by Ghita El Ghorfi, Director General of the autonomous establishment for the control and coordination of exports of agricultural and food products (Morocco Foodex), on June 27 to the Moroccan Press Agency (MAP).
While this is an all-time record for the Moroccan industry in the USA, it represents only 5% of the total agri-food export revenues of $7.8 billion earned by the Cherifian Kingdom on the international market during the period under review.
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In detail, citrus fruits accounted for $172 million in revenues, or around 40% of sales, followed by canned fish products ($93 million) and processed agricultural products ($69 million). Morocco, which also aims to further increase its agri-food shipments to Uncle Sam’s country, is implementing strategies to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the sector.
According to Ghita El Ghorfi, Morocco Foodex has just signed a memorandum of understanding with the Association of Food Industries (AFI), the leading association of American food importers. This new partnership aims to promote Moroccan products to AFI members. “We’re very happy because they’re organizing their next forum in Marrakech next May. It’s an opportunity to see more than 400 American buyers present in Morocco,” she points out.
In Morocco, the agricultural sector contributes 12% to GDP and employs around 35% of the working population.