Severe Drought Slashes Morocco’s Cereal Production by Half, Minister Reports

Morocco will continue to import cereals. It will have to do so again next year in order to make up for the deficit caused by a severe drought. According to the Minister of Agriculture, cereal production will be halved this year.

Mohamed Sadiki said that the loss rate corresponds to 1.6 million hectares out of 3.5 million hectares sown in cereals, and that only 21% of the cereal crop would be in good condition. This is also what justifies the launch of an exceptional program worth 10 billion dirhams to relieve farmers, especially in rural areas.

Faced with the deficit, the government has also announced the creation of a strategic stock of basic products such as cereals, sugar and table oils, as well as seeds and pesticides, to ensure "food sovereignty".