Morocco’s onion exports reached unprecedented levels during the 2024-2025 season,with the shipping of 64,900 tons worth $238 million after authorities lifted West African export restrictions. According to specialized platform EastFruit,this performance represents a 4.8-fold increase from the previous season and exceeds the previous 2022-2023 record by three percent.
The remarkable recovery follows a challenging 2023-2024 period when exports plummeted to merely 13,500 tons after Morocco Foodex imposed export restrictions in February 2023. The ban’s removal in summer 2024 enabled the kingdom to reclaim its market position and explore new commercial territories,demonstrating the agricultural sector’s resilience and adaptability.
Historical data reveals Morocco’s progressive growth trajectory in onion exports. Seasonal shipments remained below 10,000 tons until 2013,before climbing past 20,000 tons in 2013-2014 and reaching 40,000 tons by 2018-2019. The current season’s September peak alone recorded 14,200 tons—surpassing the entire previous year’s exports.
West Africa continues dominating Morocco’s onion trade,with Mauritania leading import volumes that doubled compared to 2022-2023 levels. Côte d’Ivoire purchases increased substantially,though Mali and Senegal reduced their imports. Significantly,the United Arab Emirates emerged as a new market,importing 5,500 tons representing 8.5 percent of total exports.
Within Morocco’s vegetable export portfolio,onions rank fourth behind tomatoes,peppers,and carrots. The sector’s expansion into Middle Eastern markets signals successful diversification strategies and enhanced competitive positioning internationally. This export surge validates Morocco’s agricultural policies while demonstrating the immediate economic impact of trade liberalization measures.
The achievement underscores Morocco’s growing prominence in global agricultural markets and its capacity to rapidly scale production when regulatory barriers are removed.
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