Morocco and the United States have reached an agreement that opens for the first time the US market to Morocco’s raspberries.
The agreement was signed between Morocco’s National Office of Food Safety (ONSSA) and the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
It followed a series of negotiations between Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests and its US counterpart in this regard.
Cultivation of raspberries has witnessed a great expansion in Morocco in recent years, especially in the West Plain in northern Rabat, known for its fertile lands and the abundance of irrigation water.
Many farmers there have abandoned the cultivation of sugar cane and replaced it with raspberries that provide farmers with greater income.
The new agricultural activity also attracted important foreign investment, especially from Spain.
Morocco currently exports more than 140,000 tons of red fruits per year to more than 40 countries, including European Union member states.
ONSSA said there are 68 authorized establishments active in the red fruit sector in Morocco.
US authorities require that the fruit be packed in unit packets authorized by the ONSSA. They also require that all exports must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Office, attesting that the fruit has actually been produced and packed in accordance with the US requirements.
According to the signed agreement, ONSSA shall oversee the compliance with US standards, monitor, inspect, and grant licenses and certificates for conformity with these standards.
