A first shipment of Moroccan citrus fruits has officially arrived in Japan, marking the Kingdom's entry into one of the world's most demanding markets in terms of quality and traceability, Morocco Foodex announced on Thursday. This milestone reflects «the competitiveness of Moroccan agricultural products and internationally recognized expertise», Morocco Foodex said in a press release. Japan, Morocco's 13th-largest customer for agri-food products, is known for its strict standards. The approval of Moroccan citrus fruits—particularly the highly sought-after Nadorcott—demonstrates compliance with the country's rigorous sanitary regulations and opens the door to export diversification tailored to market preferences. With a food culture centered on freshness and seasonality, Japan has a high consumption of fresh fruit, making it a promising market for Moroccan citrus. «The Japanese have a very favorable image of Morocco. We wish Moroccan citrus fruits great success in Japan», said Kento Takegami, head of purchasing at a Japanese import company. To build on this progress, Morocco Foodex is leading an economic mission to Japan this April, accompanying a delegation of ten Moroccan exporters. The goal is to promote the Moroccan offer and establish long-term partnerships with Japanese investors. In 2023, Morocco exported 18,000 tons of agri-food products to Japan, valued at 14 billion yen (approximately $91 million).
