Morocco's Agricultural Revival: A Promising Future for Cereal Production
As the year 2026 unfolds, Morocco is poised for a significant agricultural revival, marking the end of a challenging seven-year drought. This shift sets the stage for a revitalization in the cereal production sector, with expectations of substantial harvests for the 2025/2026 farming campaign. Recent estimates released by the Ministry of Agriculture predict that Morocco aims to harvest a remarkable total of 9 million tons of cereals by the end of this campaign. This announcement was made by Ahmed El Bouari, the Minister of Agriculture, during the 18th edition of the International Agricultural Exhibition in Morocco (SIAM), taking place from April 20 to 28 in Meknès.
The anticipated volume reflects more than a twofold increase compared to the previous year's cereal production of approximately 4.4 million tons. This encouraging forecast is attributed to favorable rainfall patterns observed at the start of the season, which have significantly expanded cultivated areas. Currently, cereal cultivation spans 3.9 million hectares of arable land, up from less than 3 million hectares in the preceding campaign. The primary cereals grown in Morocco include wheat, barley, and corn.
Despite this promising rebound, the expected production for 2025/2026 remains below historical levels. In the record crop year of 2014/2015, Morocco achieved an impressive harvest of around 11.5 million tons, showcasing the sector's potential under favorable climatic conditions. Nevertheless, the prospect of a bountiful harvest could diminish the country's reliance on imports in the upcoming marketing campaign. According to the FAO, Morocco imported an average of 8.8 million tons of cereals annually between the marketing campaigns of 2021/2022 and 2023/2024, with approximately 63% of these imports consisting of soft and hard wheat, 25% corn, and 10% barley, while the remainder involved rice.
Decline in Wheat Imports: A Positive Outlook
In light of the resurgence in cereal production, it is projected that Morocco will only need to import 3 million tons of soft wheat from the international market for the 2026/2027 marketing campaign, according to forecasts from the Moroccan Millers Federation. If realized, this would represent a substantial decrease of at least 40% compared to the average import levels seen in recent years. Abdelkader Alaoui, the president of the Moroccan Millers Federation, explained that in previous years, imports ranged between 50 to 55 million quintals of soft wheat. With the current expected harvest, imports are projected to drop to 30 million quintals of wheat.
Soft wheat is primarily utilized in Morocco for producing flour, which is essential for daily bread, bakery products, and a substantial portion of the agro-industrial sector. Traditionally, the country secures its supply from international markets, mainly sourcing from the European Union or North America. This transition towards self-sufficiency in cereal production not only bolsters Morocco's agricultural sector but also enhances food security, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
As reported by agenceecofin.com.
