Morocco: Citrus Annual
Post forecasts that MY 2015/16 orange production in Morocco will increase by 5 percent compared to the previous year, registering 918,120 MT on a planted area of about 55,804 hectares; tangerine/mandarin production will increase by 5 percent totaling 1,055,241 MT on a planted area of 62,181 hectares; and lemon and lime production will increase by 8 percent totaling 35,500 MT on a planted area of 3,750 hectares. Most of the production increases are due to rejuvenation of citrus orchards, improved irrigation, and increases in harvested areas. Post projects total orange exports for MY 2015/16 to reach around 135,000 MT, tangerine/mandarin exports will increase by 10 percent to reach approximately 380,820MT, and lemon/lime exports will increase to 7,200 MT. The rise in exports is mostly due to high demand in Russia market, as tensions mount between Moscow and Ankara.