Morocco Poised For Next Phase Of Fresh Produce Export Growth

Morocco’s fresh produce sector is well placed to meet the changing regulatory requirements in the UK and Europe, while building on the production and logistics advantages that have driven its rapid growth, as demonstrated by five Moroccan businesses reaching the FPC Fresh Awards 2026 finals.

The country's brimming export potential was a key conclusion from a two-day international workshop held in Agadir in September, and hosted by Morocco Foodex, the government agency responsible for export coordination, quality control, market intelligence, and export promotion.

More than 30 experts from Morocco and Europe took part in the workshop, which comprised both presentations and field visits, reports Europe Says.

Freshfel Europe’s General Delegate, Philippe Binard; and the Fresh Produce Consortium’s CEO Nigel Jenney addressed regulatory and market developments both in the European Union and the UK – two of Morocco’s leading export destinations.

The event, which featured three round tables moderated by Fruitnet’s Managing Director, Chris White, concluded that Morocco is well positioned to maximise its competitive edge for a diverse range of fresh produce.

To date Morocco has established a strong export presence in the UK with tomatoes, blueberries, and raspberries.

On top of that, Morocco is on course to become a major supplier of sweet peppers to the UK, with shipments rising sharply in recent years. Volume reportedly reached a record 8,100 tonnes last year.

Morocco is also rapidly expanding its presence with mandarins in the UK, a move which is placing increasing pressure on Spain’s traditional dominance in the category. 

Strengthening Production

The Souss region accounts for around 90 per cent of Morocco’s production of tomatoes, citrus, berries, avocados, and other key crops, which places the regional capital of Agadir at the centre of the nation’s fresh produce industry.

Currently, this region is benefiting from major investment in water infrastructure, including a desalination project that supplies fresh water from the Atlantic to over 15,000 hectares of agricultural production.

The workshop earlier this month included a visit to Maroc Citrus, a government-funded research centre which is developing integrated pest management solutions to tackle fruit fly in the Souss region.

Delegates also visited Duroc’s tomato packing facility, which supplies UK and European markets with cherry and baby plum tomatoes.

Game-Changing Logistics

Logistics was another focus of the event, with more effective options proving to be instrumental to Morocco’s emerging export growth. 

Today, more than 80 per cent of Morocco’s fresh fruit and vegetables exports pass through the port of Tanger Med, which is located on the Mediterranean coast.

Already, peak volumes reach around 700 fresh produce trucks a day, and by the end of 2026 the total is expected to exceed 130,000 trucks.

The port’s location, alongside improvements to Morocco’s road and rail networks, has significantly strengthened the country’s access to European markets. 

Fresh produce is also shipped directly to the UK from Agadir.

DP World offers a fast Morocco-UK connection from the Port of Agadir, offering a dedicated, more reliable, and environmentally-friendly reefer container shipping route.

Its Atlas Service reduces by two days the transit time for Moroccan fruit and vegetable exports to the UK.  

Samskip’s Moroccan Reefer Service, meanwhile, offers another game-changing refrigerated cargo shipping link between Morocco, the UK and Europe. 

The weekly short-sea container route departs from Agadir and Casablanca, and offers a faster, more predictable, and greener service.

Morocco At FPC Fresh Awards 2026

Morocco’s developing competitive edge in the UK is reflected in the country’s presence at the FPC Fresh Awards 2026, where five Moroccan businesses have been named as finalists.

This year marks Morocco’s first participation at the prestigious UK fresh produce awards ceremony, which is widely recognised as ‘the Oscars of the industry’.

The five Moroccan finalists are:

• Azura Group – Sustainability Excellence – Ethical

• Béni Mellal Citrus – International Supplier of the Year, and Sustainability Excellence – Ethical

• Delassus Group – Manager of the Year, recognising Mohamed Nafide

• Les Vergers du Soleil – Team of the Year

• Quality Bean Morocco – Team of the Year

The nominations put Moroccan companies alongside leading British and international businesses across categories covering supply, management, sustainability, and team performance.

Béni Mellal Citrus is shortlisted in two categories for its global supply strength, as well as its ethical and social practices.

Delassus Group’s nomination recognises the individual performance of Director of Production, Mohamed Nafide. 

Azura Group is also competing in the ethical sustainability category, while Les Vergers du Soleil and Quality Bean Morocco are finalists in recognition of their team efforts.

Becoming finalists at the awards provide another indication of how Morocco’s fresh produce industry is seeking to compete in the UK on account of its quality, reliability, sustainability, social responsibility, and supply chain performance, and beyond just price and seasonality.

For Moroccan exporters, the FPC Fresh Awards 2026 nominations come at a time when their ability to adapt to changing European market requirements is becoming just as important as their ability to produce and ship competitive fresh produce.

The winners will be announced during a glittering evening ceremony at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London on Friday, 25 September.

Last-minute seats are still available for the FPC Fresh Awards 2026, here.