Although global avocado exports have been rising, the supply is not enough to satisfy growing demand. It is for this reason that avocado prices are moving upwards steadily. But there are peaks and lows in the highly competitive international market.
Morocco has enjoyed soaring income from exporting avocados in the last 10 years. Its access to the European market is the reason behind its booming avocado export sector. The country is keen to find new markets as it ramps up avocado production as well as expand its market share by going into countries like Russia and Lithuania.
Avocado Prices Morocco
Exports of avocado from Morocco were valued at nearly 90 million US Dollars in 2021. Although it is a slight decrease from the previous year, it is another record high value since 2019. The sharpest climb was from 2013 to 2014 when the export value rose from about 3 million US Dollars to around 13 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in export for avocados from Morocco between 2012 and 2021.
In the European market, Moroccan avocados are usually slightly cheaper than avocados from its competitors. Avocado exporters in Morocco sell a kilo of Hass avocados between 2.10 Euro and 2.50 Euro, on average. Avocados from Morocco reach the export destinations in just a few days compared to those from South America which makes them a cheaper alternative.
Avocado Price per kg in Morocco
The biggest domestic market for avocados grown in Morocco is the Casablanca wholesale market for fruits and vegetables. Avocados are also sold in the other wholesale markets, supermarkets and informal markets like fruit vendors and green groceries around Morocco. Since the avocado is a seasonal fruit, its prices are determined by supply.
The average price of a kilo of avocados in Morocco when they are in season is between 10 Moroccan dirhams and 12 Moroccan dirhams. In 2020, the price went as low as 8 Moroccan dirhams. During off season, the average price ranges between 20 Moroccan dirhams and 25 Moroccan dirhams per kg.
Morocco Avocado
A few years ago, the month of March was an exciting time for Moroccan avocados in the European market. During that time of the year, its competitors had run out of supply. This seasonal gap gave avocado exporters in Morocco an opportunity to gain good profits.
In March, a few years back, the price of avocados from morocco was from 12 Euro-15 Euro per 4kg box. The cost of a 4kg carton of Hass avocados once peaked to a record high of 16 Euro. But today, Morocco’s competitors have increased production and found ways to grow their avocados earlier. Currently, the average price of a 4kg box of Moroccan avocados is around 9 Euro.
The largest international market for avocados grown in Morocco is Spain. In 2020, Morocco brought in about 50.3 million US Dollars from the green fruit shipped to the Spanish market. Due to the country’s proximity to Morocco, it makes it a reliable destination.
While avocados from Morocco are gaining space in the wider European market, their prices are rising and falling irregularly. Some of the drivers behind these price changes are:
- High competition from emerging avocado exporting countries such as Chile, Israel and Colombia.
- Periods of oversupply and declined supply during the summer season in Europe affects the prices of avocado supplied in the winter.
- Lack of timely and precise forecasting of when avocado supply will either be more or less than expected.
- There are only few avocado exporters in Morocco who have longer-term price agreements with importers.
- Little information exchange among the avocado supply chain partners so as to lessen the impact of price changes.