Government pledges continued support for Morocco’s agri sector amid drought challenges

MOROCCO – Morocco’s government is stepping up efforts to support the agriculture sector, which has been severely impacted by five consecutive years of drought.

The ongoing crisis has placed strain on both animal and plant production chains, essential pillars of the country’s economy.

Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch led a meeting in Rabat on Thursday, gathering key industry professionals to discuss strategies aimed at revitalizing agriculture. The discussions focused on addressing challenges in critical agricultural sectors, particularly milk, red meat, and poultry.

These industries are crucial to Morocco’s food security, and the government is committed to ensuring their resilience despite the ongoing drought.

According to Akhannouch, “The government will continue, in line with royal directives, to mobilize structured investments aimed at enhancing the agricultural sector’s ability to adapt to the impacts of drought. We aim to gradually restore balance across various production chains.”

The government’s proposed measures include optimizing the management of inputs and improving the overall performance of these agricultural sectors. Support for animal production chains, which have been hit hard by water shortages, is a priority.

Plant production chains, such as olives, citrus fruits, date palms, and grains, will also receive attention as Morocco seeks to strengthen its food systems.

Surge in tomato exports provides some relief

Despite the challenges posed by drought, Morocco’s tomato exports have been a bright spot for the agricultural sector. Data from East Fruit shows that Morocco exported 424,000 tons of tomatoes between January and July 2024, a 6% increase from the same period last year.

This growth is in line with Morocco’s aim to enhance its presence in the global tomato market, where it ranks as the third-largest exporter.

France continues to be the leading importer of Moroccan tomatoes, purchasing nearly half of the country’s shipments. Germany has also shown notable growth, increasing its imports by nearly 20% to 25,000 tons during the same period. This expansion highlights Morocco’s growing influence in the European market.

Meanwhile, Morocco’s agricultural partnership with the European Union (EU) faces legal scrutiny due to ongoing disputes concerning products from the disputed Western Sahara territory.

The European Court of Justice has questioned the inclusion of products from this region in EU-Morocco trade agreements. Despite these legal challenges, the EU has expressed its commitment to maintaining a strong partnership with Morocco.

An EU spokesperson emphasized, “The European Union values its relationship with Morocco and intends to strengthen it further in the coming months.” The two parties are exploring solutions as the court granted a 12-month extension to the current agricultural agreement.

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