Morocco’s Olive Oil Sales to Spain Surge 100-Fold
Poinews.com – Morocco has experienced a remarkable 100-fold increase in olive oil exports to Spain, as revealed by recent DataComex reports. In the first four months of 2026, Spain imported 10,384.7 tonnes of Moroccan olive oil, compared to just 103 tonnes in the same period the previous year—a staggering 9,979% surge. This explosive growth raises questions about Morocco’s potential to challenge Spain’s traditional suppliers in the European market. However, the initial scale of imports means the percentage increase is more a reflection of starting conditions than a full market takeover.
Market Shifts and Trade Dynamics
The rapid expansion of Moroccan olive oil sales to Spain highlights a broader trend in regional trade. With Spain now importing 7.48% of its olive oil from Morocco, up from 2.01% a year earlier, the country has become a critical player in the EU’s market. Despite this, Spain’s domestic production of olive oil during the 2025-2026 season reached approximately 1.295 million tonnes, far outpacing the 10,000 tonnes imported from Morocco. This disparity underscores that Morocco’s growth is part of a larger shift in supply chains rather than an outright replacement of local production.
Meanwhile, Spain’s exports of olive oil to Morocco have flipped dramatically. In 2025, the country sent 2,721 tonnes of olive oil to its neighbor, but this dropped to 673.72 tonnes in the first four months of 2026, a 75.2% decline. In value terms, Spanish exports fell from 11.11 million euros to 2.44 million euros, a nearly 78% reduction. This reversal suggests that Spain is becoming more reliant on Moroccan imports, shifting its trade balance in favor of the North African nation.
Factors Behind Morocco’s Growth
The surge in Moroccan olive oil sales to Spain can be attributed to several key factors. First, the 2025-2026 olive oil campaign saw Moroccan production nearly double the previous year, reaching close to 200,000 tonnes. This increase is largely due to olive groves recovering from years of drought, which had previously constrained output. Additionally, Morocco’s favorable trade agreements with the EU have allowed it to offer competitive pricing, making its olive oil an attractive option for Spanish buyers.
Between October 2025 and March 2026, the EU purchased 712.6% more Moroccan olive oil, jumping from 1,269 tonnes to 10,312 tonnes. Yet, Tunisia continues to dominate as the primary non-EU supplier, accounting for 81% of imports from third countries. This highlights that Morocco’s rise is not isolated but part of a broader shift in olive oil sourcing across the European market.
Spain’s olive oil imports from other regions, such as Turkey, Syria, and Argentina, have also declined significantly. Turkey’s shipments dropped by 95.1%, Syria by 83.1%, and Argentina by 53.4%, indicating a redistribution of supply sources. As a result, Morocco’s olive oil sales have gained traction, but the nation remains a key player in a larger market transformation rather than a singular force.
Spain’s Position in the Global Market
Spain’s position as a leading olive oil producer in Europe is not under immediate threat, but the rise of Moroccan olive oil sales has introduced new competition. In the first two months of 2026, Spain’s imports from Morocco accounted for 7.48% of its total olive oil imports, placing it fourth behind Tunisia, Portugal, and Italy. Tunisia alone supplied 15,861.10 tonnes, four times the amount imported from Morocco, illustrating its continued dominance in the non-EU market.
Despite the gains in Moroccan olive oil sales, Spain’s reliance on domestic production remains strong. The country’s overall output of approximately 1.295 million tonnes during the 2025-2026 season far exceeds the volume of imports from Morocco. However, the steady rise in Moroccan exports suggests that the nation is steadily carving out a larger share of the European market, particularly in Spain. This trend could have long-term implications for traditional suppliers, forcing them to adapt to changing consumer preferences and trade dynamics.
The growth of Moroccan olive oil sales to Spain is a testament to the country’s strategic position in the global market. With a combination of increased production, favorable trade conditions, and shifting demand, Morocco has positioned itself as a formidable player in the olive oil industry. While it may not yet surpass Spain’s domestic output, its rising presence signals a significant shift in the balance of power within the EU’s olive oil supply chain.
