A historic first ! A container of Moroccan citrus fruits has officially arrived in Japan, marking Morocco’s entry into one of the most demanding markets in the world in terms of quality, traceability, and freshness. This success highlights the competitiveness of Moroccan agricultural products and internationally recognized expertise.
Japan, Morocco’s 13th largest client for agri-food products, is known for its strict standards. The acceptance of Moroccan citrus fruits, especially the highly prized Nadorcott, reflects compliance with the most rigorous sanitary requirements and paves the way for the diversification of exported varieties based on market preferences.
“We wish to see Moroccan citrus fruits grow in Japan, because the Japanese love them,” says Yoichi Fukuda, a Japanese importer, emphasizing the growing interest of Japanese consumers in Moroccan quality.
To reinforce this progress, an economic mission organized by Morocco Foodex is accompanying a delegation of about ten Moroccan exporters to Japan this April.
Objective: to build sustainable partnerships with key buyers and strengthen the visibility of Moroccan offerings through B2B meetings, visits to the Tokyo market, and a targeted communication campaign.
With a food culture centered on freshness and seasonality, Japan shows a high consumption of fresh fruits, making it a major outlet for Moroccan citrus.
“We brought around ten companies to Tokyo today to promote Moroccan citrus fruits in this high-demand market for Moroccan origin,” explains El Mehdi El Alami, Director of Development and Promotion at Morocco Foodex. He adds: “This enthusiasm was demonstrated by the presence of about thirty buyers, and we are very satisfied with this mission.”
“Morocco enjoys an excellent image among the Japanese. We wish for great success and the continued development of Moroccan citrus fruits in Japan,” confirms Kento Takegami, purchasing manager at a Japanese import company.
In 2023, Moroccan agri-food exports to Japan reached 18,000 tons, worth 14 billion yen.
With ideal climate conditions, year-round production, and a strong quality positioning, Morocco now aims to strengthen its presence in high value-added markets.
Moroccan exporters are thus targeting a significant increase in export volumes in the medium and long term, capitalizing on this strategic opening.
About Morocco Foodex:
Morocco Foodex is the national body in charge of promoting and overseeing Morocco’s agricultural and maritime exports. It supports professionals in accessing international markets by ensuring compliance with global standards.
La rédaction / Le7tv (Press Release)