Exports of citrus fruits regress

Morocco exported by mid-December around 126,000 tons of citrus fruits, against a quantity of 154,000 tons in the corresponding period of last year, for a 16% drop.

The poor performance is mainly due to the persistence of warm weather between October and November that badly affected citrus fruits and delayed exports.

Meanwhile, exports of early fruits and vegetables improved by 13 % in the same period. By mid-December, exports of these commodities reached 71,000 tons, including 66,000 tons of tomatoes (93%).

According to forecasts of "SASMA," (Morocco's agriculture services company), the 1998-99 season will witness an output of 1.23 million tons of citrus fruits, a regression of 22% in comparison with the previous campaign. Exports are estimated to reach 535,000 tons, 12.3% less than the previous season.