RABAT, July 14 – Morocco imported a record volume of onions over the past year as the country moved to strengthen local supplies after a difficult farming season.
According to data from EastFruit, Morocco imported 21,600 tonnes of fresh onions valued at MAD 85.5 million ($9.4 million) between July 2025 and April 2026. The increase comes as the government works to ease pressure on domestic markets and improve the availability of the staple food.
The rise in imports follows lower onion production caused by prolonged drought, unfavourable weather and higher farming costs, which reduced harvests across several agricultural regions.
Although Morocco received heavy rainfall and storms between mid-November and February 2026, helping to replenish water reserves and support agricultural activities, flooding also created fresh challenges for farmers in some parts of the country.
The figures signals a significant shift for Morocco, which has traditionally been a net exporter of onions but is now relying more on imports to meet local demand. It also reflects the growing impact of changing weather patterns on the country’s agricultural sector as reduced rainfall and water shortages have continued to affect production, particularly in farming areas that depend heavily on irrigation.
At the same time, higher imports are expected to help stabilise onion supplies and reduce price swings that have affected consumers in recent years.
Despite the record import levels, industry observers see the move as a temporary response to difficult production conditions rather than a long-term change in Morocco’s onion industry. However, it also highlights the broader challenges facing the country’s agriculture sector as it adapts to climate pressures, limited water resources and rising domestic demand.
