Moroccan Olive Oil Exports to Spain Surge to €32.7 Million Amid Falling Spanish Production

Official data from the "DataComex" platform of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Trade, reported by "As" newspaper, revealed a remarkable shift in the olive oil trade balance between Morocco and Spain. The first four months of 2026 witnessed unprecedented growth in Moroccan exports of this vital commodity.

Record-Breaking Surge in Spanish Imports

According to the data, Spain's imports of Moroccan olive oil registered a massive increase between January and April 2026:

• Volume: Reached 10,384 tonnes, compared to just 103 tonnes imported during the same period last year (2025), reflecting a record growth of 9,979%.
• Financial Value: Ballooned from €340,000 to €32.76 million, marking an increase of approximately 9,535%.

Sharp Decline in Spanish Exports to Morocco

Conversely, Spanish olive oil exports to Morocco experienced a sharp and tangible decline:

• Volume: Exported quantities from Spain dropped to just 673 tonnes during the aforementioned period of 2026, compared to 2,721 tonnes recorded in the same period of 2025—a 75.2% decrease.
• Financial Value: Followed the same downward trend, falling by around 78% to settle at €2.44 million.

Conclusion: This development consolidates a new status quo where Morocco has become a net exporter of olive oil to the Spanish market.

Reasons Behind the Strategic Shift

"As" newspaper attributed this strategic shift to the decline in Spain's domestic olive oil production during the 2025/2026 season. Forecasts by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food indicate:

• An expected 9% drop in production.
• Total production reaching 1.295 million tonnes, compared to 1.421 million tonnes in the previous season.

This production deficit has driven the Spanish market to increase its reliance on foreign imports, particularly from Morocco, to meet domestic demand and ensure the stability of its olive oil supply chain.

Source: Areghenou.net

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