Morocco’s drought generates fears of crop failure
Morocco are expected to strengthen their presence in the global grain market, aiming to ensure stocks meet the needs of the country. This is especially important after fears have circulated around crop collapse as a result of poor rainfall and drought in the region.
According to Al Araby on February 10th, officials and traders expect Morocco’s drought to cause a significant drop in cereal yields. The Ministry of Agriculture confirmed on February 6th, that currently the agricultural season has experienced much weaker rainfall compared to the national average over the last thirty years.
Budget forecasts have predicted that Morocco is betting on a cereal harvest of seven million tons in 2025, after a sharp decline in 2023 to 3.12 million tons.
Cereal cultivation is extremely important for both small and medium-sized farms, but as Morocco is suffering from a drought for a seventh year, this is impacting the morale of farmers, causing a reluctance to cultivate land at the start of the agricultural season in the face of increased production costs.
In December Bank Al-Maghrib estimated that agricultural value would be affected by a steep decline in cereal harvests, which are currently expected to reach five million tons. However, this projected harvest could improve if rainfall increases during the first quarter of this year.
The Moroccan Association for Agricultural Development explained that both the weakness of rainfall and the cold front that Morocco has been experiencing since January will have a negative impact upon the germination process.
If cereal harvests do not improve it is expected Morocco will continue to import more crops, these imports have risen significantly over the last three years.
Morocco’s wheat imports have benefited from low prices on the international market, making their bill dependent on global crop pricing. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said that cereal prices fell by 13.3% last year on the international market as compared to 2023.
Drought was a big problem for Morocco in 2024,impacting key water sources such as Moulouya river which dried up completely during March, leading to shortages of drinking water locally.
Al Araby, Maghrebi, Morocco World News
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa? Enter your email address and name to receive our weekly newsletter.
