tribune

Morocco’s agricultural vocation is beyond doubt. Witness the International Agricultural Fair that the Kingdom organizes each year and whose 15th edition was held from May 2 to 7, 2023. And precisely, it was at the Summer Fancy Food fair in New York that Morocco was in the spotlight. This world mass of agriculture was an opportunity to highlight the variety, authenticity and quality of Moroccan products in an American market that is as popular as it is competitive.

For the organizers, this choice is not fortuitous, it illustrates Morocco’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.

On this subject, the General Manager of Morocco Foodex, Ghita El Ghorfi, stressed that the choice of Morocco as the country of honor is the result of an innovative agricultural policy and a promotion of the agri-food sector which aims to be dynamic. It could not be otherwise when we know that Specialty Food Association (SFA), organization at the origin of the New York Show, brings together more than 3000 companies including suppliers, importers and specialized food entrepreneurs, as well as distributors and retailers.

This honor is also the symbol of the exemplary cooperation that exists between the United States and the Kingdom. Moreover, a Free Trade Agreement, signed in June 2004 and entered into force in January 2006, exists between the two countries. It is rightly that Morocco has carved out a lion’s share by coming with force to this show which brings together tens of thousands of buyers, distributors and importers from the northern agri-food industry sector. -American.

This makes the President of the SFA say that the relationship between the New York Salon and Morocco, with a participation of more than 20 years, is developing to see the Kingdom in the spotlight today at the Salon, a sign, according to him, the growth of interest in Moroccan products among American buyers, before welcoming the good cooperation between his country and Morocco.

Featured products

To mark its great presence, the Morocco pavilion is located in a strategic location with an area of ​​390 m2. Thus, around 40 exhibitors presented a wide range of food and fish products to a qualified audience of over 21,000 professionals. Among the flagship Made in Morocco products are organic and extra virgin olive oil, olives, capers, canned sardines, couscous and pasta.

For olive oil, some say that this product has the wind in its sails at this event by working hard with the ambition of reinforcing the growing notoriety of Moroccan products on the American market. Moreover, a large number of operators in the olive sector took part in this event.

For professionals, the Moroccan olive sector is resolutely committed to maintaining its leadership in the country’s exportable supply, which continues to assert itself as a highly reliable supplier on the world market. In fact, the U.S. specialty food market will reach $207 billion by the end of 2023, a significant growth from $194 billion last year. These foods also make up 22% of groceries, nearly double what they were a decade ago.

At the Moroccan pavilion, a varied range of products was exhibited, including olive oil, olives, confectionery, couscous and pasta, canned sardines and mackerel, as well as aromatic herbs and local products. . To understand the scope of the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York, it must be said that it is one of the major professional fairs in the agri-food industry in North America.

In this context, we can only agree with Ms. El Ghorfi when she says that this participation represents “significant recognition in the field of agri-food and a unique opportunity to promote the high quality of the Moroccan exportable offer. This also demonstrates the long-term work carried out by Moroccan exporters who, for several years, have been able to adapt their products to the requirements of consumers in this highly competitive market”.

Economic relations

It should be recalled that the year 2022 was marked by a historic record for Moroccan exports of food and fish products to the American market, which reached 439 million dollars. This historical figure was driven mainly by citrus exports ($172 million), followed by processed agricultural products ($69 million), such as canned olives, and canned fish products ($93 million). ).

These results testify to the success of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in strengthening economic relations and promoting trade between Morocco and the United States. The Kingdom has participated in this fair for more than two decades. Seeing this relationship grow over time and having Morocco as the featured partner this year, according to the president of the Specialty Food Association, really shows the growth in interest in Moroccan products among American buyers, thanks to the work done collectively.

Finally, the Summer Fancy Food Show is the largest specialty food show in North America and was first held in 1955. The name “Fancy Food” highlights the show’s focus on exquisite foods. and refined, representing a range of food products appreciated for their quality, taste and uniqueness. The show is held annually at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, usually during the summer months. The SFA, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and recognition of specialty foods and their producers, serves as the organizer of the show. It was held for three days, from June 25 to 27, 2023.

2023-07-02 11:00:09
#Agrifood #industry #Morocco #spreads #assets #internationally