(Ecofin Agency) - In Morocco, the output of citrus in 2017-18, is forecasted to slightly increase by 3% compared to that of the previous season to stand at 2.3 million tons. The secretary-general of the Moroccan citrus producers association (ASPAM), Ahmed Derrab, revealed this and also said that this increase was due to the new farms launched.

Though this meek performance confirms the sector’s dynamism recorded in recent years, it still remains below the target of 2.9 million tons by 2018.

Following the same trend, according to the secretary, exports are forecasted to stand below the expectations (1.3 million tons), ranging between 650, 000 and 680, 000 tons for the season which ends next June.

For the record, Moroccan citrus fruits sector covers nearly 125, 000 hectares and the fruits are mainly shipped to Russia, EU and Canada.

Espoir Olodo