The delegation of the European Union (EU) to Morocco and the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests celebrated Tuesday in Meknes on the occasion of the 16th International Exhibition of Agriculture in Morocco (SIAM), the opening of the EU market to imports of Moroccan honey.
Chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohamed Sadiki, and the EU Ambassador to Morocco, Patricia Llombart Cussac, this celebration follows the recent inscription of the Morocco, in February 2024, on the list of countries from which honey can be imported into the EU, it is indicated in a joint press release. Thanks to this new opportunity, producers in the beekeeping sector will now be able to access the largest global honey market. The EU, while being one of the world’s largest producers of honey, must import up to 40% of its consumption, which in total exceeds one billion euros in value (more than 10 billion dirhams).
“The partnership between the European Union and Morocco is a win-win partnership and the opening of the honey market to Moroccan producers symbolizes this well: Moroccan beekeepers will be able to benefit from considerable economic opportunities and European consumers will be able to discover honeys with new flavors thanks to the know-how and natural wealth of Morocco,” declared Patricia Llombart Cussac, EU Ambassador to Morocco, quoted in the press release.
“The work of beekeepers is essential, both for our taste pleasure and for all of Morocco’s agriculture and biodiversity,” she added, wishing to “congratulate the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Maritime, Rural Development and Water and Forests, as well as the National Food Safety Office, which succeeded in providing the necessary guarantees to the EU to allow the opening of the European market to Moroccan honey.
This event demonstrates the fruitful partnership between the EU and Morocco. Indeed, the EU is the first trading partner and the first foreign investor in Morocco, while Morocco is the first global supplier of vegetables to the Union.
The Moroccan beekeeping industry is distinguished by its regional plurality, as well as the variety of flavors and production methods. This sector also plays a very important socio-economic role. Indeed, it draws on the know-how of more than 36,000 beekeepers, spread across several locations in Morocco.
As a reminder, the EU and Morocco concluded, in 2022, a green partnership which aims to strengthen their cooperation around the energy transition and the decarbonization of the Moroccan economy, adaptation and resilience to climate change, protection environment, as well as the green and blue economy.
On the sidelines of the event, Ms. Llombart Cussac and Mr. Sadiki visited several exhibitors and producers, sharing a friendly moment of discovery and tasting of the different essences specific to Morocco.
LNT with Map
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– 2024-04-24 17:05:06