Morocco’s cereals production down 70% in 2022, fresh produce exports up

Morocco expects its cereals output to shrink by 70% to 3.2 million tons due to late and unevenly distributed rainfall, putting a strain on the country as it seeks to build stockpiles amid a surge in prices in the international market.

 

The government subsidies soft wheat, the main staple in the country of about 37 million people.

 

According to the agriculture ministry’s preliminary forecasts, Morocco will have a harvest of 1.76 million tons of soft wheat, 0.75 million tons of hard wheat and 0.69 million tons of barley.

 

Rainfall was 35% less than last year and 45% less than an average year, the ministry said, adding that some areas did not witness any rainfall in the critical months of January and February.

 

However, March and April rainfall was very beneficial for pasturage and for spring cultivations.

 

In terms of exports, Morocco exported 710,00 tons of produce so far this year, compared with 549,000 last year.

 

Morocco’s exports of fruits and vegetables were up 16% to 1.5 million tons, the ministry said.