Moroccan blueberry exporters have sent a record volume to eastern Europe this year, surpassing the tonnage for the whole of 2023
The first half of 2024 saw Morocco export a record volume of fresh blueberries to markets in eastern Europe, according to a report from EastFruit.
Data from Global Trade Tracker showed the tonnage for January to June 2024 exceed that for the entirety of 2023.
Over the period, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Ukraine and Poland imported 2,100 tonnes of Moroccan blueberries, compared with 1,800 tonnes for the whole of the previous year. The biggest increase came from Poland, which imported a record 1,500 tonnes.
“It is important to note that these figures only reflect direct shipments of Moroccan blueberries as recorded in each country’s statistics,” analysts at EastFruit cautioned. “The actual extent of the Moroccan presence in eastern Europe may be larger, as exports through Spain, the Netherlands and Germany remain significant channels for Moroccan berries to reach the region.”
Consumption of blueberries is on the rise in eastern Europe. In 2022, Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Ukraine imported 32,000 tonnes of fresh blueberries, more than twice the volume registered in 2019.
“Despite countries like Poland, Ukraine, and Romania being relatively large exporters of blueberries, the potential for growth in local off-season consumption remains significant,” EastFruit stated.
“We remind interested suppliers of blueberries and other fruit and vegetable products in eastern Europe that they can join the online training “Navigating the eastern European fresh produce market: Opportunities for Egypt and Morocco” on 1 October, as well as participate in the trade mission of Egyptian and Moroccan exporters in Warsaw in November.”
