The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects Morocco to produce 2.55
million tonnes of citrus fruit in the 2021-2022 marketing year, which runs
from September to October. Tangerine and mandarin production is expected
to increase 13% year-on-year (y/y) to 1,36 million tons; orange production is
predicted to grow 11% y/y to 1,15 million tons; and lemon and lime
production is anticipated to advance 2% y/y to reach 45 000t.

Much of this growth can be attributed to favorable production conditions
and an increase in citrus livestock. Exports of tangerines and mandarins are
expected to increase 8% to 500 000t, while those of oranges are predicted
to grow 25% to 120 000t. Exports of lemons and limes are forecast to remain
fairly stable at 10,000 tonnes.

The government of Morocco is in full support of growing the country’s citrus
industry, and has implemented various incentives to attract further
investment in the sector.

These measures included strengthening staff hygiene systems in
packhouses, disinfecting and cleaning surfaces in warehouses, screening
staff for symptoms before entering facilities, and providing employees with
protective equipment. Other recent incentives have included ‘export support’
to the value of US$7,3 million for exporters in the Souss-Massa region.

In February 2020, Morocco also launched an agriculture development
agenda entitled Green Generation Strategy 2020-2030. The plan has two
pillars: to develop a new agricultural middle class representing between 350
000 and 400 000 households by supporting young entrepreneurs through the
mobilisation of one million hectares of collective land and creating 350 000
jobs with a focus on high-value agriculture; and to promote human and social
development.