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Drought Slashes Morocco’s Olive Harvest, Driving Up Olive Oil Prices
Sunday 8 December 2024, by
Morocco is facing an unprecedented olive oil crisis. The olive harvest expected for this year is experiencing a dizzying drop, a direct consequence of the years of drought that have plagued the country. And this will of course be reflected in the final price.
According to the Minister of Agriculture, Ahmed El Bouari, in a recent statement, the harvest is expected to reach only 950,000 tons, a decrease of 11% compared to last year and 40% compared to a normal year. The olive trees, severely affected by the lack of water, are struggling to produce enough fruit.
This situation has direct repercussions on the price of olive oil, an essential commodity in Moroccan cuisine, especially in rural areas. Professional cooperatives anticipate a significant increase, with prices ranging between 80 and 120 dirhams per liter depending on the regions. 80 dirhams are the prices observed for example in the Oujda region and in the north of the country, and much more in the Rabat or Casablanca regions.
A blow for Moroccan consumers who, just a few years ago, could buy olive oil for less than 50 dirhams per liter, or even less in the producing regions.