Morocco's agribusinessmen want to enhance presence in American market

Morocco's farmers and agribusiness professionals are determined to enhance their presence in the American market, Moroccan agriculture minister Habib El Malki said here over the weekend.

The Moroccan minister -- who ended a several-day work visit to the United states heading a large business delegation -- said the exportation few months ago of Moroccan tomatoes to the USA shows Morocco's farmers' interests to penetrate the American market.

Efforts will be carried on to diversify the exports of Moroccan agriculture products, the Moroccan minister said, adding that his delegation informed American trade partners that Morocco is planning to import this year about 50 million quintals of American cereals in return for the exportation of some agriculture produce such as cabbage, tomato, strawberry...

The Moroccan minister said further that he pleaded for a balanced partnership with USA in all sectors of common concern.

There are great joint business opportunities offered in the field of agro-processing industries, he added, affirming that Morocco's agribusiness sector accounts for 22 % of the country's overall processing industry and yields about $ 1.6 billion in added value.

The sector employs 100,000 persons, posts an average $ 680 million in sales annually and accounts for 20 % of Morocco's overall industrial exports.