Morocco’s prolonged drought compromises 2025 crop, diminishes livestock

Morocco’s farming sector is facing dim prospects if there is no rainfall this winter, agriculture minister Ahmed El Bouari said.

The current farming season has received insufficient rainfall, 53% less compared to the average of the last 30 years, El Bouari said.

Only the Loukous region in northwestern Morocco, or 25% of all Moroccan pasture areas, was in good condition, he said.

Dam filling rate dropped to 2% in Dokala, 5% in Tadla, 13% in Haouz and 15% in Souss, with the national average at 26% only, he said.

“Despite this, agriculture continues the steady supply of the national market,” he said.

The government had been subsidizing seeds, azote-based fertilizers and feed, he said.

The national livestock dropped 38%, compared with 2016, he said, as Morocco imports more cattle and sheep to meet the needs of the local market in red meat, he said.

Imports of cattle, sheep and red meat were exempted from the customs duty and the value added tax, he said, as the government offers incentives to encourage livestock production.