Moroccan blueberries have become a major player on the international scene, thanks to a blend of strategic investments, favorable agro-climatic conditions, and a bold market expansion approach. What began as a modest venture in the early 1990s has since evolved into a thriving industry, placing Morocco among the top global exporters of blueberries. According to EastFruit, the country’s unique assets and unwavering focus on quality have made its blueberries highly prized in markets around the world.
A Journey of Growth and Expansion
The story of Moroccan blueberries began in the early 1990s with small tests to grow berries. But real commercial production only started in 2004, when a few growers began planting blueberries in the Loukos Gharb region. Over the next ten years, the industry grew slowly but steadily. After 2015, it grew much faster, thanks to foreign investment and the help of skilled farmers. By 2020, Morocco was producing 35,100 tons of blueberries a huge increase compared to 2005.
According to a USDA report, the 2023/24 season was a record year for Moroccan blueberries. Exports reached around 67,300 tons, which is 25% more than the year before. This strong growth shows that Morocco is becoming an important player in the global blueberry market.
Big Export Growth for Moroccan Blueberries
Morocco now sells a lot more blueberries to different countries, especially in Europe. Spain is the top buyer, with 20,100 tons, 11% more than last year. The UK bought 14,600 tons (almost 33% more), the Netherlands 14,500 tons (up 42%), Germany 4,300 tons (up 25%), and France 3,900 tons (up 19%).
Outside Europe, Morocco also started selling more to the Middle East, sending 1,800 tons to countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. In North America, 360 tons went to the U.S. and 900 tons to Canada. In Southeast Asia, buyers included Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Morocco’s Growing Success in Singapore and Malaysia
As EastFruit reported, Morocco is doing well in selling blueberries to Southeast Asia, especially in Singapore and Malaysia. In the 2023/24 season, Morocco sent 610 tons of fresh blueberries to these two countries about the same as the year before. The new 2024/25 season also started strong, with 55 tons already shipped in December.
In recent years, both Singapore and Malaysia have been buying more and more blueberries, which creates good chances for exporters like Morocco. In 2023/24, Singapore’s blueberry imports went up by 16%, and Malaysia’s by 73%. Morocco is now the third-biggest supplier to Malaysia and the fourth-biggest to Singapore, after China, South Africa, and Peru.
Why Do People Around the World Love Moroccan Blueberries?
There are several reasons why more and more countries are choosing Moroccan blueberries:
Perfect Climate for Growing: Morocco has mild winters and warm, dry summers. This kind of weather is great for growing blueberries. It also allows farmers to harvest several times and produce more berries during the season.
Close to Europe: Morocco is very close to Europe, which means berries can be delivered quickly and stay fresh. This helps keep their quality high and gives them a longer shelf life.
Selling to More Countries: While Spain and the UK still buy a lot, Morocco is also selling to new places like Canada, Hong Kong, and countries in the Middle East. This helps the industry grow and reduces risk if one market slows down.
Focus on Quality and New Varieties: Moroccan farmers are always working on growing better types of blueberries that meet what global customers want. This keeps Morocco competitive as other countries also grow more blueberries.
Quality and Sustainability at the Heart of Moroccan Blueberries
Blueberries have been loved for centuries not just for their great taste, but also for their many health benefits. In North Morocco, Hipeca, one of the country’s top fruit exporters, grows premium blueberries on fertile land. “At Hipeca, we grow top-quality blueberries and pick each one by hand when it’s perfectly ripe,” the company explains on its website. Their blueberries are available in a wide range of packaging from large commercial boxes and practical bags to small terrines and rustic wooden crates designed to meet the needs of different customers.
Sustainability is also a key part of Morocco’s blueberry industry. Farmers use smart and responsible methods to make the best use of natural resources while producing high-quality berries. This includes precision irrigation, better nutrient management, and smart ways to reduce waste.
African Blue, a major blueberry producer with farms in Moulay Bousselham and Agadir, puts sustainability at the core of its work. “We focus on using water efficiently with precision irrigation and nutrient systems,” says the company. “We also work to cut down on waste, for example, by using improved pots that help plants last longer and by reducing the amount of plastic we use.”
The Main Types of Blueberries Grown in Morocco
Blueberry farming in Morocco is always evolving. Many companies and cooperatives are developing their own special types of blueberries through breeding programs. Among the main varieties grown are Kirra, Coria, Rocio, and Sekoya Pop, which is currently the most widely planted. In 2024 alone, farmers added 1,500 more hectares of land just for growing blueberries.
Other popular varieties include Atlas, Dupree, Ventura, Jupiter, Sekoya, and Corrina, which makes up about 62% of the production.
As explained on the website of Zalar Agri, a major Moroccan fruit and vegetable producer founded in 1977: “Thanks to Morocco’s different climates, we can grow blueberries from November to July. We offer many varieties, each with its own flavor and texture. Some are sweeter or crunchier, always chosen to give our customers the best.”
Agadir: Quickly Growing into a Berry Hub
Agadir has seen fast growth in berry farming. In less than 10 years, farmers there have planted over 4,500 hectares of raspberries and blueberries, using greenhouses and out-of-soil methods. This impressive development is thanks to Agadir’s ideal climate and new farming technologies used in protected cultivation. These innovations have made it easier and quicker to grow soft fruits like berries, showing how important technical knowledge is to the region’s success.
Looking Ahead: Growth and Innovation for Moroccan Blueberries
Morocco is ready to take its blueberry industry even further. To stay ahead, producers are exploring new regions like Dakhla for early harvests and the Atlas Mountains for later ones. This smart move will help extend the season and keep blueberries available for longer, making Morocco even more competitive on the global market.
As worldwide demand keeps growing, Moroccan exporters are improving their strategies to deal with price changes and get their berries to the right places more efficiently. In a more competitive market, Morocco’s strengths, quality, innovation, and sustainability will play a key role in keeping its leading position.
Thanks to its natural advantages, smart planning, and strong focus on quality, Morocco has become a major player in the global blueberry market. And with demand still rising, the future looks bright. Moroccan blueberries are on track to become a regular favorite for consumers around the world, offering a reliable, high-quality, and delicious fruit.
As EastFruit previously reported, Moroccan exporters are looking for new opportunities beyond their usual markets. In April 2025, a trade mission to Singapore and Malaysia will be held, organized by the FAO/EBRD project and FoodEx Morocco. The goal is to build stronger connections between Morocco, one of the top suppliers of fresh and frozen produce, and Southeast Asia, a region where fruit and vegetable imports are steadily growing. This initiative will help Moroccan exporters learn more about these promising markets and open new doors, further strengthening Morocco’s position as a global leader in high-quality fruits and vegetables.
