Examining the Unusual Price Increase and Market Dynamics
In a season marked by declining prices across most early vegetables, Moroccan green beans have stood out with a surprising increase of at least 10%. This unexpected trend has caught the attention of stakeholders across the agricultural sector, prompting analysis into the factors driving this price surge.
Salah Eddine Belkadi, CEO of Unique Packing, attributes this anomaly to robust demand and a dynamic market environment. Despite an increase in production to 122,000 tonnes well ahead of last year’s total, Belkadi remains optimistic about surpassing previous export volumes by the end of the season. The production hub primarily spans the Skhirat region along Morocco’s north Atlantic coast, with expansion efforts underway in areas like Agadir.
“The expansion in cultivated area, currently around 4,000 hectares, reflects growing investor interest,” notes Belkadi. “Higher prices are incentivizing further expansion, promising a positive outlook for the sector.”
Throughout the season, prices have averaged 2.20 EUR per unit, up from 2 EUR last season, with a peak observed in January. Spain represents the largest market for Moroccan green beans, followed by France later in the season, underscoring the region’s strategic export focus.
Stakeholders involved in vegetable production, agronomy, agricultural supply sales, fertilizer and pesticide manufacturing, food industry specialists, and researchers will find valuable insights in understanding the dynamics behind this market exception.
