Positive outlook ahead for local coffee exports to Morocco

This was unveiled during an online consultation session regardin the Moroccan market on August 12, an event which was jointly held by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and Vietnamese Trade Office in Morocco.

Do Viet Phuong, head of the Vietnamese Trade Office in Morocco, stated that over the past decade two-way trade turnover between both sides has maintained its growth momentum.

Vietnam's key export items to Morocco includes rice, peppers, canned pineapples, phones and components, computers, coffee, seafood, spices, chemical products, garment and textiles, and footwear.

According to a report released by the Vietnamese Trade Office in Morocco, agricultural products make up 60% of total Vietnamese export turnover to the North African nation.

Domestic enterprises have therefore been advised to boost their exports to this market as a result of its political stability and notable social security in the region.

Furthermore, the country also enjoys a favourable geographical position, as it is close to Europe and located on the route which connects the Indian Ocean to both the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

These factors will serve to open up greater opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products to gain entry into other markets throughout Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Moreover, the enforcement of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement in January 1 has made Africa the largest free trade area, a move which will be a favourable factor for Vietnamese goods as they seek to penetrate the market moving forward.

Phuong also pointed out that Vietnamese goods are capable of reaching the mid- and high-end segments in the Moroccan market due to their consumers being highly appreciative of Vietnamese export commodities.

However, he also outlined a number of hurdles in exporting local agricultural products to the market, including fierce competition from China, Indonesia, and India, high import tariffs, and limited payment methods.