The first-ever National Citrus Fair is set to take place in Sidi Kacem from November 26 to 29, bringing together the major players in Morocco’s citrus industry under the theme: “The Citrus Sector Facing the Challenge of Sustainable Water Management.” This inaugural event is being organized by the Gharb Regional Office for Agricultural Development (ORMVAG), in partnership with the Moroccan Citrus Interprofessional Federation (Maroc Citrus), and with support from the Province of Sidi Kacem.
Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, the fair will span a total area of 13,000 square meters, including 5,000 square meters of covered space. Organizers aim to create a space for open dialogue, innovation sharing, and strategic planning across the sector. The event is structured around several thematic zones, each designed to tackle different dimensions of the citrus value chain.
The institutional pavilion will host government bodies and technical agencies involved in supporting the citrus industry, encouraging investment, enforcing regulations, and providing guidance to professionals. Alongside, the interprofessional section will bring together key sector organizations—most notably Maroc Citrus—to foster collaboration, improve coordination, and strengthen governance across the value chain.
One major highlight of the fair is the agri-supply zone, which will showcase companies offering agricultural inputs, irrigation technologies, processing equipment, and other innovative tools designed to meet today’s production challenges—particularly those related to water use. The Agricultural Advisory area will provide technical support and training through workshops, demonstrations, and knowledge-sharing sessions tailored for growers.
Another space will spotlight local cooperatives and their products, underscoring the role of community-based agriculture in boosting quality, promoting local value chains, and supporting rural economic empowerment. This focus on social and solidarity-based economy is part of a broader effort to integrate rural actors into the national citrus strategy.
Regional diversity will also be front and center. A dedicated area will showcase Morocco’s top citrus-producing regions—including Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Fès-Meknès, Marrakech-Safi, Casablanca-Settat, the Oriental, Souss-Massa, and Béni Mellal-Khénifra. These zones will present their production strengths, innovations, and development strategies, while also offering fresh and value-added citrus products to highlight the sector’s regional richness and diversity.
Two full days will be devoted to scientific programming, with experts, researchers, and industry professionals engaging in panels, conferences, and B2B meetings. Organizers expect around 30,000 participants, reflecting the national importance of the citrus sector and the event’s growing relevance within Morocco’s agricultural calendar.
A major communications campaign is backing the event, with wide coverage across print, broadcast, digital media, and social platforms to maximize visibility and highlight the efforts being made to develop a competitive and sustainable citrus industry.
This first edition comes at a time when the sector faces significant challenges—from climate pressures to resource scarcity—but also real opportunities. Modernization efforts under the Generation Green 2020–2030 strategy are already helping reshape the citrus landscape, with goals to boost competitiveness, improve quality, diversify markets, and promote a more resilient, sustainable model.
As the host region, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra plays a leading role in this transformation. Thanks to favorable agro-climatic conditions, major irrigation infrastructure, and ongoing modernization, it remains one of the most dynamic citrus production zones in the country—making it a fitting backdrop for this landmark event.
