Morocco Potato Exports Rebound in 2024/25, West Africa and Europe Lead Demand

Potato exports from Morocco, which had been on a downward trajectory since 2019, have finally begun to rebound, according to analysts at EastFruit. The country exported 42.9 thousand metric tons of ware potatoes between July 2024 and May 2025, valued at USD 14.9 million. This represents a 5.7-fold increase compared to the entire previous marketing year (MY) and is 1.5 times higher than the volume recorded in MY 2022/23.

Morocco’s all-time high for potato exports was achieved in MY 2018/19, when nearly 100 thousand metric tons of tubers were shipped to international markets. Since then, export volumes have declined almost annually, reaching a low of just 7.4 thousand metric tons in MY 2023/24. As a result, Morocco fell from 28th place in the global potato exporter rankings in 2019 to 67th in 2023. Now, following five consecutive years of decline, Moroccan potato exports are once again showing signs of growth in the current marketing year.

Potato exports from Morocco exhibit pronounced seasonality. The peak shipping period traditionally occurs between July and September, when the largest volumes are exported. Additional spikes are typically observed from February through April. However, following the implementation of a ban on potato exports to West Africa, from March 2023 to February 2024, Morocco’s international shipments were minimal until the ban was lifted and replaced with a quota system. As a result, exports during MY 2023/24 were primarily directed toward European markets.

Morocco: Potato Export by Country

In the current MY, West African countries, such as Mauritania and Mali, have once again emerged as the leading destinations for Moroccan potatoes, accounting for nearly half of the total export volume. Spain remains a key external market, with shipments continuing to rise. There has also been a notable uptick in exports to France, Portugal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal. Conversely, shipments to the Netherlands, Burkina Faso, and Niger have declined significantly.