European demand for Moroccan Kapia and bell peppers is unusually strong this October, pushing farm-gate prices roughly twice what they were at the end of October last season. The surge stems from thrips-related production losses in Spain and a temporary supply shortfall in Morocco. This is according to Obeida Mansour of Universal Peppers, which grows in both countries.

“European demand, and Spanish demand in particular, for Moroccan Kapia and bell peppers is exceptionally strong for this period of the year,” Mansour says. “One indicator is farm-gate prices in Morocco, which are currently double those recorded at the end of October last season.”

“Spanish growers have been hit hard by a thrips outbreak that has sharply curbed output,” he explains. “We have first-hand experience of this, as we are partners in a Spanish farm. We had to carry out extensive replanting.”

Supply constraints in Morocco are amplifying the effect. “Prices reflect robust demand, but also insufficient availability on the Moroccan side,” the grower says. “Here as well we are sensitive to heat, which complicates crop protection, especially given the tight constraints of MRLs.”

Universal Peppers is itself operating well below its usual capacity at this time of the season, according to Mansour. “Across our own farms and those of our contract growers in Souss-Massa, we are harvesting only 35% of our typical volumes for this point in the season, due to unsuitable temperatures,” Mansour says. “We expect to be harvesting at full capacity and back to normal supply within two weeks.”

Demand is also coming from West African markets. “Shipments to Mauritania and Senegal add to high European demand,” he notes.

“We will see whether the thrips problem persists in Spain. If it does, the campaign promises to be very busy,” Mansour concludes.

For more information:
Obeida Mansour
Universal Peppers
Tel: +212 66361 2461
Email: [email protected]