Morocco has long since been a reliable trading partner to its Spanish neighbor. The trade exchanges between the two countries reached an all-time high in 2021, especially in the fresh produce. In 2021, Morocco exported more than MAD 73.77 billion (€7 billion) in product to Spain. 14.6% more than the previous year, according to data published by the Spanish embassy in Rabat Morocco imported MAD 100.11 billion (€9.5 billion) from its Spanish neighbor in 2021, an increase of 29.2% from the previous year. The trade curve between the two countries has had a positive incline since 2016, with a slight drop in 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis. In 2020, Moroccan exports to Spain reached MAD 67.13 billion (€6.37 billion), compared to almost MAD 73.77 billion (€7 billion) the previous year. Imports also amounted to MAD 77. 46 billion (€7.35 billion) in 2020, while in 2019, imports reached MAD 89.05 billion (€8.45 billion). The Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers and Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Live Plants (FEPEX) reports that Spanish imports of fresh fruits and vegetables from Morocco reached 220,771 tons in the first half of 2021. These figures show an improvement of 2% compared to the same period last year.
In the following months, Spain imported 437,670 tonnes of fruit and vegetables worth more than MAD 6.85 billion (€650 million). In addition to Moroccan tomatoes, watermelon is the second most imported fruit. The Spanish market has imported almost 59,000 tonnes of these products, with avocado, kiwi, and blueberry following close behind. Among non-European suppliers, Morocco ranked first in 2021, followed by Costa Rica and Peru. Between January and April of that same year, non-European countries supplied Spain with 51% of its total imports of fresh fruit and vegetables. Trade between the two countries accounts for nearly one-third of Moroccan foreign trade. Morocco is Spain's main African client and its second-largest client in the world outside of the European Union. Morocco's imports to Europe reached nearly 1.5 million tons in November 2020. The EU purchased more than 770,000 tonnes of vegetables, a 4% increase over 2019. Tomatoes and green beans were the most popular imports. 32,800 tons of avocado were exported from Morocco during the 2019 marketing year. In 2020, the EU imported 610,849 tonnes, an increase of 18% over the months preceding the pandemic. Watermelon, raspberries, and blueberries were among the primary foods brought to the European continent by Morocco.