Egyptian strawberry growers have announced a significant price hike, doubling their prices this season, which Moroccan exporters see as an opportunity for fair competition. While Moroccan strawberry quality improves due to favorable weather conditions, late planting may limit their competitive advantage this season. Ultimately, the prices will depend on market reactions as more Moroccan strawberries enter the market.
The recent announcement by Egyptian strawberry growers to double their prices has been perceived positively by Moroccan exporters. This shift in pricing follows years of Egyptian strawberries being sold at lower rates, which negatively impacted Moroccan producers. Ahmed Bouljid, a representative from Larache, stated that he welcomes this change as it aligns competition within the market, reminiscent of adjustments made with mandarins. Moroccan producers are now starting their strawberry season with little hope of capitalizing on this new market dynamic due to late planting decisions, although the quality of their strawberries is expected to be superior this year due to favorable weather conditions.
Harvests of Moroccan strawberries have commenced, with initially good prices being reported. However, Bouljid notes that it is still premature to predict the overall pricing landscape for Moroccan strawberries. The ultimate impact of the Egyptian price increase will depend on the availability of their strawberries and how the market responds. Given the later planting schedules, it may not be feasible for Moroccan farmers to significantly increase their production in time to meet the current demand. Bouljid emphasizes that for any meaningful adjustment in strategy, producers will need to assess the competition next season based on this season’s outcome.
The strawberry industry in Morocco has faced challenges in competing with the lower priced strawberries from Egypt. For years, this competition has discouraged local growers, leading to a reduction in strawberry acreage as many have opted to cultivate other crops like blueberries or avocados instead. The recent price hikes by Egyptian growers, while perceived positively, come amidst ongoing weather challenges that have impacted production in Morocco. The current season marks the arrival of Moroccan strawberries on the market, with growers eager to see how pricing evolves amidst the new competition.
In summary, the price increase of Egyptian strawberries presents a strategic opportunity for Moroccan strawberry producers, albeit tempered by the latter’s late planting and reduced acreage. The competition is expected to yield higher quality Moroccan strawberries, positioning them favorably in the market. Ultimately, the full impact of these developments will not be clear until market dynamics stabilize with the arrival of increased volumes later in the season, making next season a critical period for assessing renewed interest in strawberry cultivation in Morocco.
Original Source: www.hortidaily.com
