Morocco is a big international exporter of citrus fruits, vegetables and fish. Its exports to the UK have grown by a third since Brexit, to more than 30,000 tonnes. Through the deal, Morocco will redistribute donations from its food suppliers via FareShare across the UK.
The agreement follows the opening of a new direct shipping route between Morocco and the UK, which will cut journey times by road from six days to less than three. Previously, trade between Morocco and the UK passed through Spain via road.
The food and drink has been donated to FareShare by companies including Atlas Olive Oil, Olea Capital, Cartier Saada and Mutandis. The first delivery of produce includes:
- 936 litres of fruit juice
- 240 kilos of pasta
- 60 kilos of semolina
- 36 litres of extra virgin olive oil
- 28 kilos of green and black olives
More than 2 million tonnes of good-to-eat food is wasted across the UK food supply chain each year. Last year FareShare redistributed 55,000 tonnes of food through its 30 warehouses, which was the equivalent of 132 million meals to people in need.
Lindsay Boswell, chief executive of FareShare, said: “We are delighted to receive this food and drink from Morocco. Our 30 warehouses stand ready at short notice to receive good to eat nutritious food, from wherever it came from in the supply chain, and get it to people who need it, quickly, especially at this time of year.
“The priority is making sure food isn’t wasted but goes to people – which is the best thing to do socially, environmentally and economically with surplus food. We very much hope this will become a long-term agreement between the Moroccan government and FareShare – to received surplus food from this new trade link.”