The dramatic increase begins from a minimal base.
MADRID, SPAIN — July 2026. Spanish imports of Moroccan olive oil increased from 103 metric tons between January and April 2025 to 10,384.7 tons during the same period of 2026. The expansion represents a year-on-year rise of 9,979 percent, according to official Spanish foreign-trade data. Although the percentage appears extraordinary, it largely reflects the exceptionally small volume recorded one year earlier. The figures therefore reveal rapid commercial growth without demonstrating that Moroccan oil is replacing Spanish production.
The value of Spain’s purchases from Morocco followed a similar trajectory, rising from approximately €340,000 to €32.76 million. Morocco’s share of Spanish olive oil imports reached 7.48 percent in early 2026, compared with 2.01 percent one year earlier. The increase has made the North African country a more visible supplier, but its market position remains far from dominant. Spain is expected to produce around 1.295 million tons of olive oil during the 2025–2026 season, vastly exceeding the quantity imported from Morocco.
The commercial relationship has also changed in the opposite direction. Spain exported 2,721 tons of olive oil to Morocco between January and April 2025, but that figure fell to 673.72 tons during the equivalent period of 2026. The value of those exports declined from €11.11 million to €2.44 million, representing a fall of almost 78 percent. Spain consequently moved from selling more olive oil to Morocco than it purchased to importing substantially more than it exported.
Morocco’s strong performance is connected to an improved agricultural season following several years of drought. The Moroccan Interprofessional Olive Federation estimated national production of approximately 200,000 tons for the 2025–2026 campaign, more than double the previous year’s output. Recovering olive groves, larger harvests and comparatively competitive prices have allowed Moroccan producers to expand their presence in neighboring markets. Preferential commercial conditions between Morocco and the European Union have also supported the increase.
Spanish demand for foreign oil has grown while domestic production experiences a weaker season. Spain’s Agriculture Ministry estimates that national output will be approximately nine percent lower than during the previous campaign. Importers have therefore sought additional supplies to maintain industrial activity, meet commercial commitments and balance available inventories. Morocco’s geographic proximity gives its exporters an important logistical advantage when Spanish companies require additional volumes quickly.
The broader European market has registered a similar change, with imports of Moroccan olive oil increasing by 712.6 percent between October 2025 and March 2026. Purchases rose from 1,269 tons to 10,312 tons during that period, confirming that the trend extends beyond Spain. However, Tunisia remains the European Union’s principal external supplier and accounts for approximately 81 percent of olive oil imports from non-EU countries. Morocco’s progress is therefore significant but still modest compared with the region’s established market leader.
Spain also continues purchasing larger quantities from several other countries. During the first two months of 2026, Tunisia supplied 15,861.10 tons, Portugal delivered 13,174.47 tons and Italy contributed 4,257.19 tons. Morocco ranked fourth among Spain’s suppliers, demonstrating that the market remains diversified. Declining shipments from Turkey, Syria and Argentina have simultaneously altered the international distribution of available olive oil.
The nearly 10,000 percent increase provides a striking headline, but the absolute figures offer a more balanced interpretation. Morocco has strengthened its commercial position through a favorable harvest, competitive prices and changing Spanish supply requirements. Its growing presence deserves attention from producers, distributors and agricultural authorities, particularly if the trend continues during future campaigns. For now, the data describe an emerging supplier rather than a foreign takeover of Spain’s olive oil market.
A dramatic percentage does not always represent market domination.