Morocco overtakes Spain as top fresh Raspberry seller to the UK

Moroccan exporters have significantly increased their raspberry exports to the British market, surpassing Spain as the leader in these sales, as reported by EastFruit. Morocco’s fresh raspberry exports to the UK have multiplied by 40 in the past three years, reaching 15,800 tons in the 2022/23 season (July-June). These volumes have generated $86 million in revenue for Morocco, granting them the status of the main supplier of fresh raspberries to the British market.

Just a few years ago, Moroccan raspberries were scarcely available in the UK; in fact, there were no exports in the 2017/18 season. However, the situation changed after Brexit.

British importers sought new alternative sellers, and Moroccan exporters successfully filled that niche. In 2022, the UK ranked as the fifth largest global importer of fresh raspberries.

This raspberry export directly impacts the province of Huelva in Spain, which is the primary producer nationally. This sales shift coincides with the decline in raspberry production area in the province of Huelva, attributed to various causes in recent years.

Morocco has been consistently increasing both its export volumes to the UK and its market share. Just three years ago, Morocco only accounted for 1.5% of the total fresh raspberry imports in the UK. In the 2022/23 season, this North African country managed to raise its market share to 55%.

As a result, Morocco has become the leading exporter of fresh raspberries to the UK, surpassing Spain, the previous leader. Meanwhile, Spain’s raspberry exports to the UK have decreased by 40% over the last five seasons.

 For Morocco, fresh raspberries are one of the most important export categories. Local producers continue to expand their raspberry cultivation areas, resulting in almost a fivefold increase in Morocco’s fresh raspberry exports over the past six seasons. In the 2022/23 season, the country exported over 60,000 tons of fresh raspberries.

Consequently, Morocco has significantly improved its position in the global ranking of fresh raspberry exporters, securing the third spot in 2022. In comparison, in 2017, Morocco held only the sixth position.

Fresh raspberries stand as the third-largest export category after tomatoes and mandarins in terms of export income, amounting to $340 million in the 2022/23 season.

Morocco primarily exports fresh raspberries to European countries, with the UK displaying the fastest growth rates. The UK was also the key importer of Moroccan fresh raspberries in the 2022/23 season, accounting for 25% of Morocco’s total exports.