Morocco has significantly enhanced its position in the UK's sweet pepper market, showcasing remarkable growth for the third consecutive marketing year. According to EastFruit, from October 2025 to June 2026, the UK imported an impressive 10,400 tons of Moroccan sweet peppers, which amounted to over £17 million. This achievement reflects a staggering 60 percent increase compared to the marketing year 2024/25 and nearly triples the volumes exported during the previous year, 2023/24. Over the last three years, Moroccan sweet pepper exports to the UK have surged by an astounding 5.8 times, with an average annual growth rate of 80 percent, underscoring Morocco's rising prominence in this competitive market.
Moroccan sweet peppers are readily available in the UK throughout most of the year, with the primary export window spanning from October to May. The peak shipping period coincides with the winter months when the demand for imports in the UK reaches its highest levels. In the marketing year 2025/26, February marked the largest monthly volume for imports, peaking at 1,800 tons. During this period, Morocco's share of total UK imports exceeded 9 percent, highlighting its growing influence.
While Spain and the Netherlands continue to dominate the UK sweet pepper supply, accounting for over 80 percent of imports, Morocco is quickly closing the gap. Currently, Germany holds the third position in sweet pepper exports to the UK, but Moroccan shipments are rising rapidly, narrowing the difference to less than 1,000 tons. With Germany's export volumes stabilizing over the last three years and Morocco's shipments on a steep upward trajectory, the competition for a top-three position is becoming increasingly intense. In contrast, France has experienced a significant decline in its market share, with imports from the country plummeting by half compared to the previous year, marking the third consecutive year of decrease. This decline puts France at risk of dropping out of the top five suppliers, as Belgium threatens to surpass it, aided by its seasonal peak in late summer and early autumn.
Morocco's impressive growth trajectory in the UK sweet pepper market suggests that if the current momentum persists, it may soon surpass German export volumes as early as the marketing year 2026/27. Meanwhile, France faces an ongoing erosion of its market presence, which could lead to further challenges in maintaining its competitive position.
Overall, the landscape of the UK sweet pepper market is evolving, shifting in favor of more agile and rapidly growing suppliers. Traditional exporters with stable but stagnant volumes are gradually losing ground to Morocco and other dynamic players. This trend reflects Morocco's broader advancement in the UK fresh produce sector, where it is also making strides against Spain's dominance in mandarins and solidifying its role in the market for berries and other vegetables.
As reported by east-fruit.com.
