Morocco’s Almond Craving: A Growing US-Morocco Partnership
Morocco’s love affair with almonds is showing no signs of slowing down. The North African nation has smashed import records in 2024, importing a staggering 35,000 tonnes of shelled almonds from the United States in the first eleven months of the year. This surge in demand, valued at $174.5 million, represents an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
This US dominance in Moroccan almond imports is undeniable. While other countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy, and the Netherlands contribute smaller volumes, the US supplies nearly 99% of Morocco’s almond needs.
Several factors contribute to this dramatic increase in US almond imports. A prolonged drought has significantly impacted Morocco’s domestic almond production. Simultaneously, the US, accounting for three-quarters of global almond production, offers highly competitive prices and consistently high-quality almonds. California, the world’s leading almond producer and exporter, plays a crucial role in meeting this growing demand.
The rising import figures paint a clear picture: Moroccan consumers are increasingly embracing almonds, and the country is actively integrating itself into the global almond trade network. Import volumes in 2024 are a staggering 38 times higher than they were in 2017, highlighting the almond’s growing importance in the Moroccan market.
Morocco’s almond appetite has propelled it into the top 10 of global almond importers, ranking eighth among the United States’ export destinations. Holding a 5% share of the global market makes Morocco’s position remarkable, especially considering its relatively limited domestic production compared to other major almond-producing nations. Almonds have become a staple in the Moroccan market, ranking second in value among imported goods, just behind dates. This trend underscores the growing popularity of nuts among Moroccan consumers.
Beyond importing, Morocco is also making its mark on the global almond export scene. In 2024, the country exported 215 tonnes of shelled almonds to countries like Denmark, Italy, and Germany, further solidifying its presence in the international almond market.
While Morocco’s almond production remains relatively limited compared to other major almond-producing nations, the country is actively pursuing expansion. The regions of Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima, Fès-Meknès, and Oriental are the primary almond-producing areas in Morocco, with a total almond orchard area of 230,510 hectares during the 2022-2023 campaign and an average production of 146,096 tonnes of non-shelled almonds.
This developing landscape presents exciting opportunities for both Morocco and the US. A strengthened partnership in the almond sector promises economic benefits and growth for both nations.