Insightful Discussions at the First Morocco Avocado Conference
On September 30, 2023, Tangier hosted the inaugural Avocado Conference organized by Green Smile, attracting around 300 participants from 15 different countries, which notably included approximately 60 delegates from Spain, as well as a distinguished panel of international experts. This event was meticulously designed to address both technical and agronomic aspects of avocado production, aiming to enhance the industry's overall performance and resilience.
The conference featured a series of sessions tackling various critical topics. The first session zeroed in on orchard performance, with Prometeo Sánchez García, an independent consultant from Mexico, discussing the impact of abiotic stress and profitability. Furthermore, Emilio Guirado Sánchez and Iñaki Hormaza from IHSM in Spain provided insights on effective pruning and pollination techniques, while Gonzalo Vargas from Chile spoke about the challenges associated with alternate bearing. The subsequent session concentrated on orchard protection, featuring presentations from Patricia Manosalva of the University of California, Riverside, who discussed resistant rootstocks, and Schalk Schoeman, an IPM consultant from South Africa, who addressed issues related to red mites and thrips. Ben A. Faber from UC ANR further contributed to the discourse with a focus on water management and tree health.
Market Dynamics and Future Opportunities
The commercial aspects of avocado production were highlighted in the second session, where Ali Rougui from Morocco Foodex elaborated on the global market dynamics and Morocco's strategic positioning within this landscape. Fernando Dupuis Grawe of Rio Escalda Consultancy provided insights on the winter market, logistics, and European retail forecasts for 2022 to 2025, while Jaime Mendizabal from MAF RODA discussed advancements in post-harvest automation. This session culminated in a roundtable discussion featuring prominent figures like Yassin Chaib from Mavoca and Alberto Ibañez Bielsa from Golden Tropics, who deliberated on strategies to bolster the competitiveness and resilience of the Moroccan avocado sector. The day concluded with a Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with the experts and synthesize key recommendations.
As Moroccan avocado growers prepare for the upcoming season, the first green-skinned fruits have already begun to appear in local markets. Estimates for Hass avocado production vary significantly among industry stakeholders, ranging from 80,000 to 180,000 tonnes. However, there seems to be a consensus about a recovery from previous season losses, with mid-range forecasts suggesting production may reach around 140,000 tonnes, and exports projected to be between 100,000 and 110,000 tonnes, mirroring the figures for the 2024-25 season. Siham Zahidi, co-founder of Green Smile, emphasized the conference's technical focus, stating, "Our goal was to provide a platform for enhancing yields without the need to expand planted areas. The spread of avocado production into non-tropical regions is resource-intensive and doesn't always yield justifiable returns. Even in established growing regions, Moroccan yields still lag behind global standards."
For more details on this significant gathering and the insights shared, As reported by freshplaza.com.
