Morocco has emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the United Kingdom's post-Brexit shift in fruit and vegetable imports, with British purchases of Moroccan fresh produce doubling during the first five years after the UK's departure from the European Union, according to a new analysis of UK trade trends.
The report found that while Britain's overall imports of fruit and vegetables declined following Brexit, Morocco significantly expanded its share of the UK market, outperforming all other major suppliers.
On average between 2020 and 2025, the United Kingdom imported twice as much fresh fruit and vegetables directly from Morocco as it had before Brexit. The upward trend continued throughout the period, with imports reaching 330,000 tonnes in 2025, up from 250,000 tonnes in 2021.
The findings underscore Morocco's growing importance as a strategic supplier to the British market as Brexit reshapes European agricultural trade.
According to the report, imports from the European Union declined sharply after Brexit, particularly from traditional suppliers such as the Netherlands and Spain. Dutch exports to the UK fell by nearly 30%, largely due to a decline in re-exports of products including avocados, grapes and mangoes, while imports from Spain, the UK's largest supplier of fresh produce, dropped by more than 10%.
Morocco, by contrast, recorded the strongest growth among all exporting countries. South Africa also benefited, with exports to the UK increasing by around 20%, while Egypt strengthened its position with imports rising by almost 50% on average during the first five years after Brexit, reaching a record 266,000 tonnes in 2025.
The report suggests that Morocco's competitive position has been reinforced by its geographic proximity to Europe, expanding agricultural production and improved logistics, allowing exporters to capitalize on changes in Britain's sourcing patterns after leaving the EU single market.
The study also noted that UK imports increased for several products, including watermelons, avocados and blueberries, while imports of bananas, apples, tomatoes and onions declined compared with pre-Brexit levels.
Despite a modest recovery in domestic vegetable production by 2025, overall British consumption of fruit and vegetables remains below pre-Brexit levels. Domestic production continues to account for around 55% of vegetable consumption, while locally produced fruit represents only 15% of total consumption, leaving the UK heavily dependent on imports.
The report concludes that although Brexit disrupted traditional European supply chains, it also created new opportunities for non-EU exporters, with Morocco emerging as the most significant long-term beneficiary of the UK's changing import landscape.
