Sweet corn surge: Morocco breaks 20K tonne export barrier

In MY 2024/25, Morocco achieved a record-breaking milestone in sweet corn exports, according to EastFruit. Data from Global Trade Tracker via Morocco’s Office des Changes shows that the country exported 21,800 tonnes of fresh sweet corn between July and June, generating over $20 million in export revenue. This marks a 28% increase compared to MY 2023/24 and a 61% rise over MY 2022/23. For the first time, export volumes exceeded 20,000 tonnes in a single marketing year, setting a new benchmark for the sector.

Sweet corn exports from Morocco follow a distinctly seasonal pattern aligned with domestic production cycles. Thanks to favorable climatic conditions, the country harvests sweet corn twice annually: in autumn (October to December) and spring (April to June). The spring harvest typically drives peak export volumes.

Morocco’s fresh sweet corn is primarily destined for European markets, where it competes directly with Spanish producers. In March 2025, heavy rainfall in key Spanish growing regions caused significant crop losses, leading to a supply shortage across Europe. As a result, demand for Moroccan sweet corn surged, particularly in Spain, which turned to Morocco as an alternative supplier.

This shift in demand led to a notable change in import dynamics. For the first time since 2015, Spain overtook the United Kingdom as the leading importer of Moroccan sweet corn. Spanish imports rose by 67% compared to MY 2023/24, making Spain the top buyer. Other European countries also increased their imports: Germany by 52%, France by 30%, and Switzerland by 14%. In contrast, exports to the Netherlands declined by 15%.

It’s also worth noting that Morocco continues to break records in asparagus exports, achieving its fifth consecutive year of growth.

Tags: United Kingdom, demand, sweet corn, exports, France, Spain, Production, imports, Germany, Morocco, Switzerland