Morocco expects rise in cereal harvest to 4.4 mln tons

Morocco expects its cereals harvest to grow to 4.4 million tons this season, up 41% from last year, thanks to March and April rainfall, the agriculture ministry said.

Moroccan agriculture reeled under the impact of seven consecutive years of drought, that slashed the harvest last year to 3.1 million tons, compared to an average year of 7 million tons.

While rainfall has increased 19% this year, it was still 18% below an average year, highlighting the water stress faced by the country.

This year’s cereals harvest includes 2.4 million tons of soft wheat, 1.06 million tons of hard wheat and 0.9 million tons of barley, the ministry said.

Overall, farming output is expected to increase 5.1% this year, after contracting by 4.8% last year.