Andalusian food companies participate in an Extenda commercial mission in Morocco and visit the Cremai Fair

The Moroccan agri-food sector is of great commercial interest

Economy and Knowledge promotes the promotion of these firms in Morocco, a market to which Andalusia exported 57 million euros, 73% more than in 2015.

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A total of four Andalusian companies from the agri-food and beverage sector has participated in a trade mission to Morocco organized by Ministry of Economy and Knowledgethrough Extenda-Andalusian Foreign Promotion Agency, which began last March 21 and ended today, and which included a visit to the VIII edition of the fair Cremai (International Exhibition of Hotel, Restaurant and Pastry Professionals in Morocco).

 

The exhibition Cremai It is celebrated from March 21 to 24 in Casablanca (Morocco). This mission, which has the support of the Extenda Office en Morocco, has offered participating companies the opportunity to learn more about the potential and functioning of the food sector in the Moroccan market, as well as the option to contact importers and distributors in the country with whom to develop new lines of business.

 

The Moroccan agri-food sector is of great commercial interest, as it contributes almost 16% of GDP and provides employment to 40% of the population. Besides, Morocco It has the lowest risk level of all the countries in the north of Africa. For Andalusia it is a growing market, therefore, according to data from extend, the community exported to Morocco in 2016 agri-food products worth 57 million euros, which represents a significant increase of 73% compared to 2015, double the growth experienced at the national level (36%).

 

These figures make Andalucía in the second exporting region of Spain of agri-food products to Morocco, with 15,9% of national sales, ranking only behind Catalonia. The growth of the sector's exports to the North African country is even greater if the range is extended to the current decade (2010-2016), when they have doubled, increasing by 108%.

 

More than 200 exhibitors 

 

During the three days of the mission's agenda, bilateral meetings were held, as well as the visit of companies to the eighth edition of the Cremai Fair. The Cremai contest is a biennial event in which a wide range of food products such as drinks (hot and cold) are present; charcuterie, salting, preserves, poultry; fruits and vegetables; high-end and gourmet products; dairy products and cheese; sea ​​products; raw and cooked meats; flour, aromas and ingredients.

 

In its 2015 edition it had 14.000 square meters of exhibition, more than 200 exhibitors with 600 brands present and 20.000 visitors. Likewise, exhibitors from seven different countries were present, such as France, Italy and Spain, among others. 

 

 

Andalusia is the second exporting region of Spain of agri-food products to Morocco

           

 

 

Particiapant enterprises

 

The companies that have participated in this direct trade mission organized by Extenda come from Málaga (Industrias Confiteras Antequerana, Safrante and Seragro) and Córdoba (Fainca HR). Involvement extend In this event it may be 80% co-financed with funds from the European Union, charged to FEDER Operational Program of Andalusia 2014-2020.

 

In 2016, a total of 242 Andalusian companies exported agri-food products to Morocco, of which, 24,8% (a total of 60) are regular exporters (exporting for more than four years in a row). The main exported product was olive oil, which accounted for 21,7% of sales and doubled its figure compared to 2015, growing by 114%, reaching 12,4 million.

 

They are followed by other fats and oils, which with 11,9 million, 21% of the total, multiply their sales by thirteen, growing by 1.210%; and seeds, oilseed fruits and industrial crops, with 9,5% of the total and an increase of 11,2% to 5,4 million. Also with 9,5% of the total and 5,4 million in sales are live animals, whose figure grows 62% compared to 2015; which is followed by live plants, with 3,9 million, 6,9% of the total and an increase of 70%.

 

The provinces that accumulated a higher export bill are Seville, with 16,3 million, 28,6% of the total and an increase of 69%; Huelva, which multiplied its sales by eight, growing 701% to 14,5 million, 25,5% of the total; and Almeria, with 9,4 million, 16,6% of the total and an increase of 40%.

 

In fourth position is Cadiz, with 7 million (12,4% of the total); followed by Granada, with 3,6 million (6,3% of the total) and an increase of 14,4%; Malaga, with 3,6 million (5,9% of the total) and an increase of 31%; Cordoba, with 2,4 million (4,2% of the total) and an increase of 40%; and Jaen, with 308.000 euros, triple what it sold in 2015.