FPC Importers visit Morocco

FPC Delegation Visits SIAM 2010 in Meknes, Morocco courtesy of Maroc Export

We were delighted to take a team of FPC importing members to the SIAM 2010 exhibition in Meknes, Northern Morocco, courtesy of new FPC member Maroc Export (Moroccan Centre for Export Promotion). Our host for the trip was Larbi Bouattaf, Commercial Attache to the Moroccan Embassy in London who is working closely with us over the coming months to increase trade between our nations culminating in Morocco featuring as the guest nation at the 65th FPC Annual Dinner 2011 at the Savoy.

The Brit delegation included Veryan Bliss (Suncrop), Claire Donovan (Worldwide Fruit), Russell Davis (Univeg Katope), Jerry Green (Greencell), Peter Osborne (Ferryfast), Stephan Constantin (Chingford Fruit), Nigel Jenney/Angie Stuart (FPC) and we adopted Carl Atkin (Bidwells) and a German journalist and Bavarian photographer... The mix was perfect with first rate humour and we called ourselves the 'VIP 40 Minuters...'

Covering all the bases, within our group we had two French speaking members who currently trade with Morocco; expert technologists and agronomists; suppliers to the UK trade and the multiples. This wealth of experience and expertise came into its own during our audience with the Minister for Foreign Trade Mr Abdellatif Maazouz with whom we enjoyed significant and interesting dialogue surrounding Morocco's desire to increase exports to the UK and our desire to increase imports. Nigel Jenney and our members provided useful advice and information on marketing standards, accreditations, branding and other relevant issues surrouding the UK market.

Later in the day we were also honoured to be granted an audience with the Minister for Agriculture & Fisheries Mr Aziz Akhennouch. Agriculture plays a central role in Morocco's economy, blessed with ample sunshine, a diverse geography and an agricultural surface area of 21.5million acres, this remarkable nation is almost self sustaining. The agricultural sector consists primarily of small, private landholdings and it provides work for some 40% of the population.

There are 4 main agro-ecological zones in Morocco: high plateaus in the Middle Atlas region; the Rif; the Anti-Atlas and southern oasis; and the coastal plains which include the western plateau and the region known as the Saisse. Transportation and communication systems in addition to a large low cost labour force offer significant and comparative advantages for Moroccan agribusiness. A programme exists to make state owned agricultural land available to private entrepreneurs with the aim of ensuring crop supply locally and raising exports.

The EU is the principal importer of Moroccan fresh produce, in particular France, Germany and the UK - major exports include citrus, French beans, strawberries, melons, early tomatoes and potatoes. SIAM 2010 was extremely impressive, one of the best exhibitions we've attended with high quality produce beautifully presented. We would have liked to have spent more time at this spectacular trade show and are hoping to return next year for a longer period.

Lunch was a major highlight - hosted at an exquisite, authentic Meknes restaurant where we were treated to a feast of traditional Moroccan fine dining. The cuisine was outstanding and to add to our gastronomic delight in such exotic surroundings, Meknes has its own vineyards so we sampled remarkably good local wines which completed a truly wonderful experience for which we thank our hosts Maroc Export.

We look forward to meeting up with our Moroccan industry friends in London in the coming months - if you wish to find out more about trading with Morocco please contact us at the FPC office and we will be delighted to organise an introduction. angie@freshproduce.org.uk or call 01733 237117.