Morocco's dates production to exceed 33,000 tons

Morocco's date production for the 2001-2002 season will exceed 33,000, recording a 2% increase compared to the previous season, says the vegetal production department of the ministry of agriculture.

The largest production is expected in the southern regions of Ouarzazate with 16,300 tons, Errachidia (9,200 tons), Tata (3,500 tons) and Figuig (1,600 tons).

While the production is sufficient to meet the local demand in dates, Morocco will import better quality dates, mainly during peak consumption periods, like Ramadan (fasting month).

In 2002, Morocco imported 12,400 tons of dates, mainly from Iran which provided 74%, Syria (9%), Tunisia (7%), Iraq (4%), Egypt (2%), Algeria (2%), India (1%) and the United Arab Emirates (1%).

Growing mainly along the southern valleys of Ziz and Draa, date palms, estimated at 4.7 million units, yield an annual average harvest of 100,000 tons of dates. In average, Moroccans eat 3 kg of dates annually.