Moroccan fruit and vegetable packer and exporter AGCO is bouncing back after a tough season on both ends of its operations, sourcing and marketing.

Barely out of a period of flooding in northern Morocco at the beginning of its season, the company, which specializes in the Gulf market, was hit by the war in the Middle East and the suspension of air cargo, which cut it off from its markets.

© Youness Bensaid | FreshPlaza.com

“We went through great difficulties. This was by far our most difficult season, even worse than the height of COVID-10,” says Lamia Adlouni, co-manager of AGCO. She adds that these difficulties cost the company up to 50% of its export volumes.

“We did our best to keep supplying the market. We barely stopped despite the low demand. The situation is improving now, although tourism in the Gulf countries, and therefore demand for fresh produce, is not yet back to full strength,” says Moulay Mehdi Adlouni, the company’s founder.

Some products were less elastic than others and kept a certain level of demand despite the logistical complications, according to Lamia Adlouni. “These are mainly cherry tomatoes and watermelons, while we were worst hit in strawberries,” she says.

© AGCO

AGCO is gradually returning to normal operations in the Gulf and aims to expand into other markets. “With the upcoming launch of our new packing station in Northern Morocco, we will be better positioned in the European market with a diverse range of berries, stone fruit and general fresh produce,” Al Adlouni says.

“We are also exploring other ways to increase the share of our exports to Asian markets,” Al Adlouni concludes.

AGCO is exhibiting at Fruit Attraction, stand 14D01.

For more information:
Moulay Mehdi Adlouni
AGCO
Tel: +212661225422
Email: [email protected]

Lamia Adlouni
AGCO
Tel: +212661401621
Email: [email protected]