Morocco’s potato export sector has seen a significant recovery, growing nearly sixfold from July 2024 to May 2025, with 42,900 tons of table potatoes shipped, generating $14.9 million in revenue. This marks a major turnaround from the previous season, with exports surging 5.7 times compared to the year before, and exceeding 2022–2023 figures by 1.5 times.
While still below the peak levels of 2018–2019, the rebound signals renewed strength for the sector, which had fallen to just 7,400 tons in 2023–2024, causing Morocco’s rank to drop from 28th to 67th among global exporters.
The government had imposed an export embargo between February 2023 and July 2024 to protect domestic supply and stabilize prices during low-production periods, redirecting exports to European markets. The embargo has since been replaced by a quota system, allowing trade with West Africa to resume and fueling the recovery.
The revival has been driven by strong demand from West Africa, with Mauritania and Mali emerging as major destinations, together accounting for nearly half of the exports. Spain remains a key European market, with notable growth, while countries like France, Portugal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal also saw increases. However, exports to the Netherlands, Burkina Faso, and Niger declined.
Despite the recovery, the sector remains vulnerable to climate conditions, water availability, and shifting trade policies, underscoring the sensitivity of Morocco’s potato exports to regulatory changes.