Morocco recorded the strongest growth among the European Union’s (EU) main pepper suppliers over the past 10 years. Between the 2016/2017 and 2025/2026 seasons, Moroccan pepper sales to the EU market jumped 88.35%, the largest increase among the suppliers analyzed, ahead of Turkey at 72.62%, according to an analysis by specialized website Hortoinfo based on data from Euroestacom, the statistical service of ICEX-Eurostat.
Morocco’s rise stands in contrast to the decline recorded by the EU’s two traditional leading suppliers. Over the same period, Spain’s sales fell 15.62%, while the Netherlands saw a 15.19% drop. The shift is gradually reshaping the EU’s pepper supply landscape.
The figures show that EU member states imported more than 1.51 million tons of peppers in the 2025/2026 season, worth more than €3.33 billion, at an average price of €2.20 per kilogram.
Annual changes in EU pepper imports by supplier
| Country | Tons 2025/2026 | Share of total | Value (€) 2025/2026 | Tons 2016/2017 | Change in tons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 555,663 | 36.69% | 1,414,917,800 | 658,404 | -15.6% |
| Netherlands | 324,762 | 21.44% | 689,259,150 | 382,950 | -15.19% |
| Morocco | 192,719 | 12.72% | 277,599,350 | 102,319 | 88.35% |
| Turkey | 111,906 | 7.39% | 250,688,280 | 64,826 | 72.62% |
| Germany | 68,011 | 4.49% | 204,117,880 | 65,931 | 3.16% |
| France | 35,364 | 2.33% | 64,928,250 | 29,738 | 18.92% |
| Belgium | 30,865 | 2.04% | 60,445,260 | 39,058 | -20.98% |
| Austria | 28,490 | 1.88% | 67,673,530 | 13,427 | 112.19% |
| Hungary | 17,397 | 1.15% | 30,461,180 | 22,293 | -21.96% |
| Poland | 17,284 | 1.14% | 22,899,890 | 19,298 | -10.43% |
| Other | 132,126 | 8.72% | 254,789,880 | 122,653 | 7.72% |
| TOTAL | 1,514,588 | 100.00% | 3,337,780,450 | 1,520,898 | -0.41% |
Despite its decline over the past 10 seasons, Spain remains by far the EU’s largest pepper supplier. In the latest season, the country shipped 555,660 tons of peppers to the EU, accounting for 36.69% of the market, with sales worth €1.41 billion and an average price of €2.55 per kilogram.
The Netherlands ranked second, with 324,760 tons sold, representing 21.44% of total imports. The shipments were worth €689.26 million, at an average price of €2.12 per kilogram.
Morocco ranks third among EU suppliers
Morocco ranked third, with 192,720 tons sold, accounting for 12.72% of total EU imports. The shipments were worth €277.6 million, at an average price of €1.44 per kilogram, the lowest average price among the five leading suppliers cited in the analysis.
Turkey ranked fourth, with 111,900 tons sold for €250.69 million, at an average price of €2.24 per kilogram and a 7.39% market share.
Read also : Morocco’s sweet pepper exports to UK surge 60% to 10,400 tons
Germany rounded out the top five EU pepper suppliers, with 68,010 tons sold for €204.12 million, at an average price of €3 per kilogram, the highest among the five leading suppliers.
A comparison of average prices by supplier shows significant differences. Moroccan peppers sold for an average of €1.44 per kilogram in the 2025/2026 season, well below the €3 per kilogram recorded for Germany, €2.55 for Spain, €2.12 for the Netherlands and €2.24 for Turkey.
