Morocco Closes In On Third Place In UK Sweet Pepper Market

Morocco could become the UK’s third-largest supplier of sweet peppers as rapidly rising shipments continue to reshape the British import market.

The UK imported 10,400 tonnes of Moroccan sweet peppers, valued at more than £17 million, between October 2025 and June 2026, according to figures reported by EastFruit.

Shipments increased by 60% compared with the 2024/25 marketing year and were nearly three times higher than in 2023/24. Over the past three years, Moroccan sweet pepper exports to the UK have grown 5.8-fold, representing average annual growth of 80%.

Moroccan peppers are available on the UK market almost throughout the year, although the principal export window runs from October to May. Volumes are at their highest during the winter, coinciding with the period of strongest UK import demand.

Monthly shipments reached 1,800 tonnes in February during the 2025/26 marketing year, when Morocco accounted for more than 9% of total UK sweet pepper imports.

Spain and the Netherlands remain Britain’s dominant suppliers, together accounting for more than 80% of imports. Germany currently occupies third place, but Morocco has narrowed the gap between the two countries to fewer than 1,000 tonnes.

With German supplies reported to have remained stable for three years while Moroccan exports continue to increase, Morocco could overtake Germany during the 2026/27 marketing year if its current rate of growth is maintained.

France, meanwhile, is losing ground in the British market. UK imports of French sweet peppers fell by half compared with the previous marketing year, marking a third consecutive annual decline. France has already slipped behind Germany and Morocco, while Belgium could also overtake it because of its seasonal supply peak in late summer and early autumn.

The growth in pepper shipments forms part of Morocco’s wider expansion within the UK fresh produce market. The North African country has also been increasing its presence across berries and other vegetable categories, while emerging as a stronger competitor to Spain in the mandarin market.

The figures point to an increasingly competitive UK pepper supply base, with fast-growing origins such as Morocco gaining ground on more established European suppliers.