Severe Drought Threatens Morocco’s Cereal Harvest and Agricultural Exports

Farmers are worried about the situation and fear the worst if the weather conditions are still as disastrous. Even the upcoming rains that are announced will not be enough to save the agricultural year.

In addition to cereal crops, there are also legumes that are experiencing many difficulties due to rainfall. Morocco has gone from being the second largest exporter of legumes on the world market to a simple importer of legumes due to the recent years of drought. Since 2017, Morocco has been importing about 290,000 quintals of legumes each year, mainly lentils. Thus, its turnover has fallen by more than 70%.

Even if rainfall is expected this week in several regions of the country, the question is whether it will be sufficient to save some agricultural crops. This year again, small farmers will have to depend on the Compensation Fund, and Morocco, on the import of wheat and other agricultural products to make up for its deficit.