Israeli Agricultural Group Mehadrin Targets One Thousand Hectares of Moroccan Avocado Production
Israeli agricultural producer Mehadrin is expanding its footprint in Morocco with a target of reaching 1,000 hectares of avocado production within five years, FreshPlaza reported in October. The expansion builds on a joint venture launched in April 2021, four months after the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Rabat and Israel. In 2021, when Mehadrin began expanding beyond its domestic borders, the company farmed roughly 750 hectares of avocados in Israel. The planned Moroccan orchards would exceed that baseline.
Joint Venture Structure and Production Costs
The cross-border initiative began as a partnership between Mehadrin, which holds a 51% stake in the joint venture, and Moroccan fruit and vegetable producer Younes Cherdoud, based in Souk El Arbaâ du Gharb. Initial plans involved leasing at least 455 hectares from the Moroccan state alongside a joint investment of 80 million dirhams across the first three years. Shaul Shelach, who was at the head of Mehadrin at the time, pointed to production costs significantly lower than those in Israel and water pricing he judged negligible in Morocco as primary drivers for the overseas venture.
Credentials don't stop false claims. Mehadrin runs a joint venture on leased land aiming for ~10k tons yearly with no exclusive rights. Morocco has thousands of hectares of local avocado production and major exports by many growers. The Salé uprootings involve collective tribal…
Operations advanced when Mehadrin established a local agricultural entity and planted its first trees in the northern Gharb region at the beginning of 2024, according to reports by Hespress. The current agricultural blueprint encompasses 1,000 hectares dedicated to avocados and 400 hectares for citrus fruits. To complement these plantings, Mehadrin also acquired Don Fermín, a citrus and avocado farm located in Chincha, Peru.
Market Timing and Competition in Europe
The dual production strategy in Morocco and Peru allows Mehadrin to align its harvest schedules closely with Israeli seasons. Anthony de Cuba, the managing director of Mehadrin Holland, noted that the Moroccan production cycle largely mirrors Israel’s harvest window. By combining European proximity with lower operational costs, the firm supplies major European retailers across twelve months, bridging gaps with its Southern Hemisphere assets in Peru.
This overlapping schedule creates intense pressure for independent Moroccan exporters. The Moroccan Avocado Association (MAVA) reported that national shipments dropped to 58,000 tonnes during the 2025–2026 campaign, down from a season exceeding 100,000 tonnes. MAVA attributed the decline to extreme heat, occasional port closures, and lack of transport. Industry professionals also cited an influx of Israeli-origin fruit arriving on European markets starting in October, intensifying competition for independent growers.
Water Resource Monitoring in the Gharb Plain
The Sebou river basin, watered by an extensive network of dams and canals, anchors the core of Morocco’s avocado cultivation alongside the Loukkos region. While this abundance draws foreign investors from Israel, Spain, and Portugal, it also raises environmental concerns among local farmers. Hamid Achtouki, a farmer who relocated to the northern Gharb after local wells dried up in Sidi Allal El Bahraoui near Khémisset, expressed concern over large-scale commercial wells operating with hydraulic equipment that he indicated was without comparison to neighboring farms.
Water usage estimates highlight the scale of the expansion. An agronomist cited by The New Arab in February 2024 calculated that a single hectare of drip-irrigated avocado trees requires between 4,000 and 8,000 cubic meters annually. National government data from 2022 estimated overall overexploitation of the country’s primary aquifers at approximately 1.1 billion cubic meters per year. While the state has ended agricultural subsidies for avocado farming, former Mohammed Sadiki previously defended the sector, noting that avocado acreage remains under 10,000 hectares out of 1.6 million irrigated hectares and arguing that much of the water utilized in the Gharb eventually flows into the sea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the primary partners behind the Moroccan avocado project?
The project operates through a joint venture initiated in April 2021, where the Israeli agricultural group Mehadrin holds a 51% stake alongside Moroccan fruit and vegetable producer Younes Cherdoud.
How much land does Mehadrin intend to cultivate in Morocco?
Mehadrin aims to reach approximately 1,000 hectares of avocado production within five years, alongside an additional 400 hectares allocated for citrus fruit production.
Why did Mehadrin choose Morocco for its overseas expansion?
Former company leadership cited production costs that are much lower than those in Israel, proximity to European retail markets, and favorable water pricing compared to domestic conditions.
How has the local water supply been affected by the expansion?
While the Sebou plain benefits from extensive dam irrigation, local farmers have voiced concerns over depleting water tables and heavy industrial well usage, mirroring conditions previously experienced further south in regions like Khémisset.
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