Moroccan exporters are expected to take advantage of the cold wave that has devastated harvests across Europe over the past few weeks, according to Apefel, the association of Moroccan fruit and vegetable exporters, making up for the losses suffered since the beginning of the 2009/10 campaign, La Vie éco has reported.
The association predicts that, between January and March 2010, around half of the yearly export volume to the EU will be achieved, be that around 300,000 tonnes of produce, including tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers and peppers.
Up until 10 January, exports of early fruit and vegetables from Morocco stood at 238,301 tonnes, according to statistics from the EACCE (Autonomous Body for the Control and Coordination of Exports), down by 10 per cent compared with the previous year, with tomatoes falling by 18 per cent, and courgettes and peppers by 11 and 30 per cent respectively.
Fruits have fared better, with exports rising by 34 per cent from 5,522 tonnes to some 7,400 tonnes. Exports of strawberries rose by 169 per cent, while watermelons increased by 507 per cent and raspberries by 191 per cent.
The ministry of agriculture earlier forecast that 800,000 tonnes of early fruit and vegetables would be exported. Such a target will be difficult to meet, but the unfavourable weather in Europe will certainly aid sales, as it will prices.
