As the effects of climate change are increasingly felt, the Moroccan citrus sector is at a decisive turning point. In this context, the first National Scientific Congress on Citrus will be held in Marrakech from May 13 to 15, 2025, organized by Maroc Citrus under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, around the theme: “Multiple challenges in the citrus sector: what levers to act?”
This meeting takes place at a critical moment for an agricultural activity that produces 1.5 million tons of citrus each year, of which 500,000 tons are exported, and which supports more than 13,000 families across the country.
A sector in contraction after years of growth
Between 2010 and 2016, the sector experienced spectacular expansion thanks to the Green Morocco Plan and the exploitation of Sodea lands: the planted area increased from 98,000 to 128,000 hectares, and production reached a record of 2.6 million tons. However, this dynamic has waned. The combination of unabsorbed overproduction by marketing capacities and climatic hazards has caused a sharp decline: between 2016 and 2024, the area decreased by 29%, or 37,000 hectares removed. The national orchard is now limited to 91,342 hectares, and yields have dropped.
Younger and better-targeted orchards
Despite this retreat, the sector shows signs of reorganization. Half of the plantations are less than 15 years old, and producers are turning to more profitable varieties. Among them, the Nadorcott, developed locally, stands out. Exported to more than 40 countries, it is appealing due to its quality, profitability, and adaptation to the commercial calendar. Its success is the result of the structured work of the Association of Nadorcott Producers in Morocco (APNM).
In exports, a shift to higher quality imposed by competition
The strong arrival of Turkish and Egyptian competitors, particularly in the Russian market, has caused Morocco to lose market shares. This pressure has pushed Moroccan players to enhance quality: certifications, traceability, international standards (GlobalGAP, SMETA, GRASP…). However, some products like table oranges are feeling the impact. The decline in competitiveness, especially against Egypt, has shortened the export season, weakened seasonal jobs, and reduced supply to processing plants. Nevertheless, there remains an opportunity to seize: the health crisis in the Brazilian orchard, affected by the Greening virus, could free up export markets where Morocco could reposition itself.
First challenge: water, the Achilles’ heel of the sector
The persistent drought is currently the most urgent threat. While desalinated water will primarily be reserved for domestic use, agriculture will have to make do with reservoir and recycled water – which is largely insufficient. Maroc Citrus advocates for a dedicated water plan, including massive interconnections (“water highways”), the widespread adoption of agricultural desalination, and coordinated governance between public authorities and professionals.
Second challenge: structuring a still too unbalanced market
The Competition Council, in a report published in March 2024, highlighted several structural weaknesses: land fragmentation, excessive weight of intermediaries, lack of organization among producers. To address this, it is proposed to pool infrastructure, reform wholesale markets, and modernize post-harvest logistics to better control added value and stabilize prices.
Third challenge: labor shortage, a silent crisis
Finally, the agricultural sector suffers from a growing lack of skilled labor, exacerbated by the development of the Direct Social Aid (ASD) program which makes seasonal work less attractive. For Maroc Citrus, it is urgent to establish a sustainable rural employment model, balancing social protection, stability, and incentives for formalization.