In Morocco, the tomato industry is grappling with labor shortages exacerbated by prolonged drought conditions. Labor is increasingly drawn towards the red fruit sector, with farm workers and other industry stakeholders retraining for roles in berry cultivation. Khalid Saïdi, president of the Moroccan Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters (APEFEL), noted, "Being a producer in the tomato industry in Morocco has become a risky profession. Many people are retraining, and that's a reality."
The situation in Morocco's tomato sector, particularly in the water-scarce Souss-Massa region, remains complex. Saïdi highlights the shift towards more profitable crops like blueberries and raspberries while acknowledging challenges in finding labor during the harvest and picking season. The labor scarcity is compounded by water availability issues, placing stress on producers.
Saïdi stated that labor shortages might have been critical if not for the assistance from sub-Saharan nationals in Agadir, helping alleviate the labor gap. Although authorities, including the Ministry of Agriculture, have launched support initiatives, such as subsidies ranging from 4,000 to 7,000 USD per hectare, these efforts cover less than 10% of production costs.
Despite these adversities, Moroccan exports of tomatoes continue robustly. Saïdi commented, "It is thanks to this half of the production that is exported that producers manage to get by." The export price covers costs, supporting producers amid unfavorable local market conditions. Morocco ranks as the third-largest tomato exporter globally, with 621,000 tons exported in the 2024-2025 season, with primary markets being European. The export turnover reportedly exceeds 1.5 billion USD, as per HortoInfo.
Morocco's position as a leading exporter, surpassing Spain, reflects its competitive stance in the global market.
Source: Born2Invest