Morocco’s berry sector prepares for next phase at Tangier seminar

Tangier will host the XLIII International Seminar on Red Fruits Morocco 2026 on September 16, organized by Blueberries Consulting, bringing together producers, exporters, researchers, consultants, and suppliers to analyze the state and next phase of Morocco’s rapidly expanding berry industry.

Morocco’s berry sector has transformed over the past two decades. Production that once centered on strawberries has diversified into raspberries and blueberries, spreading across growing regions including Loukkos, Kenitra, and Agadir. Protected agriculture, soilless production, advanced irrigation, and new genetics have supported that expansion, and Moroccan fresh blueberry exports are now approaching 100,000 tons annually, placing the country as the leading African exporter of the fruit.

A logistical advantage reinforces that position. Moroccan berries can reach distribution centers in Spain, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom in under 48 hours, and the country’s production window between January and May coincides with reduced supply from the southern hemisphere. During the 2025/2026 season, Morocco supplied more than half of Norway’s fresh raspberry and blackberry imports, with shipments totaling 707 tons, a 22% increase over the prior season.

International investment continues to flow into the sector. Elite Agro Holding, through its subsidiary Elite Harvest Maroc, recently inaugurated its seventh farm in Morocco, a 200-hectare operation in Kenitra dedicated to blueberries and raspberries. The group’s direct investments in the country exceed 500 million Emirati dirhams and, according to the company, have contributed to generating more than 8,000 jobs.

Tangier’s selection as the seminar venue reflects more than convenience. The city sits near agricultural zones driving berry expansion in northern Morocco and connects to Tangier Med, one of Africa’s leading port complexes, with links to more than 180 ports worldwide. That infrastructure positions northern Morocco as a hub between Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean.

The most recent season also exposed vulnerabilities in that same infrastructure. Floods in northern Morocco disrupted soft fruit exports and caused damage to greenhouses, plants, crops, and worker availability in Kenitra, Sidi Slimane, and Larache. Some exporters had to destroy shipments after goods remained at the port of Tangier too long without reaching European customers.

The seminar program covers sustainability, climate change, production technologies, varieties, logistical efficiency, emerging markets, and profitability. The event also includes an International Technical Tour of northern Morocco, moving discussions from seminar rooms to active production sites to examine the systems and technologies Moroccan growers currently use.