With its exceptional culinary heritage and growing export capacities, Morocco is proud to participate again in this show, which represents an opportunity to build lasting partnerships, exchange ideas, and contribute to the future of our industries, said Morocco’s ambassador to the US, Youssef Amrani.
Through this participation, Morocco is actively exploring a variety of structuring international partnerships, including with the United States, which the north-African kingdom sees as unparalleled opportunities to absorb, over the years, a growing share of Moroccan exports in the agricultural sector, said Amrani, who is accompanied by the Consul general of Morocco in Miami, Chafika El Habti, and a delegation led by Morocco Foodex CEO, Ghita El Ghorfin.
Organized in partnership with the World Trade Center Miami, the Moroccan pavilion in this show, which attracted 7500+ professionals, presents a wide range of products, reflecting the diversity and richness of its culinary heritage.
The opening session has brought together several US officials, including Senator Maria Elvira Salazar, Miami Dade Mayor Daniela Levine Cava, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, President of the World Trade Center Miami, Roberto Diaz, and a representative of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce, Clara Acosta.
Participants hailed Morocco’s choice as a Country of Honor, which reflects the kingdom’s growing place on the international scene, especially in food exports, underlining the opportunities for the Moroccan and American markets for producers from both countries.
Taking part in this show demonstrates Morocco’s continued commitment to making a place for itself in the American market, Amrani underlined, adding that, taking advantage of the 2004 US-Morocco Free Trade, the Kingdom reinforces its position as a “major player in exchanges with North America”.
Bilateral trade jumped to $5 billion in 2023, up from just $925 million in 2005, he said.
US exports to Morocco increased seven folds in value, from $480 million in 2005 to $3.4 billion in 2023, while Morocco’s exports to the United States tripled in value to $1.6 billion in 2023, up from $445 million in 2005, the diplomat explained.
Amrani also noted that over 80,000 Moroccans live in Florida, and recalled the inauguration in 2019 of a Casablanca-Miami air route, reflecting Morocco’s commitment to strengthen cultural and economic ties with the United States, which in turn sees Morocco as a gateway to Africa and a strategic partner in developing resilient chain supplies, including in agriculture.