In a context of severe water crisis that Morocco has been going through for some time now due to the lack of precipitation in recent years, the country is experiencing a significant increase in its exports of agricultural products, in particular watermelon. This situation has been qualified by the experts as “ water export“.
While Spanish watermelon exports fell by 31.74%, Moroccan exports increased by 17.4%. In fact, Spain has reduced its watermelon exports in 2022, registering a decrease of 316.36 million kilograms compared to the previous year. On the other hand, Morocco saw its exports increase by 44.03 million kilograms.
According to a comparative analysis of the evolution of exports between Spain and its competitors carried out by the specialized site ” Horoto“, based on data from the statistical service of the United Nations Organization (UN), Spain exported a total of 996.61 million kilograms of watermelons in 2021. This figure has seen a drop in 2022, to reach 680.25 million kilograms, a decrease of 316.36 million kilograms.
On the other hand, sales of watermelons from Morocco to foreign countries increased by 44.03 million kilograms. They went from 252.98 million kilograms in 2021 to 297.01 million kilograms in 2022.
According to the same data, Morocco recorded a 9.73% increase in revenue from the export of watermelons. These revenues increased from 176.73 million euros in 2021 to 193.93 million euros in 2022, an increase of 17.12 million euros. The average price obtained was 0.65 euro per kilogram.
Spain, on the other hand, increased the value of its exports by 10.2%, from 469.13 million euros in 2021 to 516.97 million euros in 2022. This represents an increase of 47, 84 million euros for the export of watermelons at an average price of 0.76 euros per kilogram.
A recent World Bank report revealed that Morocco is among five countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region facing unprecedented water scarcity. The other countries concerned are Iraq, Egypt, Syria and Iran. This report confirms that this shortage is continually worsening due to population growth, climate change and the demands of social and economic development.