Morocco Braces for Rising Wheat Imports Amid Persistent Drought

Morocco is bracing for the prospect of declining harvest due to the climate-induced drought.

According to a statement from the farm-lobby group Comader cited in a Bloomberg report, Morocco will need to ramp up its wheat imports to compensate for a significantly diminished crop yield this year.

Comader Chairman Rachid Benali highlighted the adverse impact of the prolonged dry spell, emphasizing that the country experienced a dearth of rainfall during the crucial autumn season.

The rain deficit has resulted in a wheat crop anticipated to be “a lot less” than the previous year’s 4 million tons. In addition, the grain harvest is expected to fall substantially short of the government’s budgeted 7.5 million tons, he noted.

Despite state efforts to diversify the economy, agriculture still accounts for 12% of GDP. With a series of droughts plaguing the nation in recent years, local supplies have been severely hampered, exacerbating farm-job losses and subsequently elevating the unemployment rate to 13% in 2023.

Benali emphasized the inevitability of increased wheat imports, citing the current relatively low prices of the commodity, Bloomberg reports. He underscored the integral nature of agriculture as a cyclical process, lamenting the suboptimal start of this year’s cycle due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Planting challenges extend beyond wheat to encompass other vital crops such as grains and sugar, he added, compounding the agricultural woes faced by the nation.

The dwindling water resources exacerbate the situation, with annual rainfall and snowfall decreasing in recent decades despite a nearly doubled population. Many dams are approaching depletion, prompting authorities to impose restrictions on farm irrigation.

Meanwhile, plans for desalination have been accelerated, and thousands of public baths have been ordered to close three days a week.

Tags: rainfall, wheat, drought, crop, yield, imports, Morocco, harvest