Morocco's cereal production will grow by 61% in 2022-2023 season
Morocco's agricultural sector is overcoming adverse weather conditions and will significantly increase its cereal production. According to the latest data published by the Ministry of Agriculture, production is set to reach 55.1 million quintals in the 2022-2023 agricultural season.
This is an increase of 61.8% compared to the previous season's figures, when 34 million quintals of cereals were harvested.
The increase in production was achieved thanks to a 2.8% increase in the cultivated area, which grew from 3.57 to 3.67 million hectares. The average yield per hectare was 15 quintals.
In terms of cereal type, soft wheat production was 29.8 million quintals, durum wheat 11.8 million quintals and barley 11.8 million quintals.
In terms of geographical distribution, the four regions that account for most of the national production are Fez-Meknes (27.1%), Rabat-Sale-Kenitra (26.5%), Casablanca-Settat (16.9%) and Tangiers-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (12.4%).
Drought
Despite this, the change in the country's climatic conditions has caused the figure to be below Morocco's usual average production. According to information from the Ministry of Agriculture, the drought and the rise in average temperatures in the main cereal-producing regions have meant that production has not reached the usual levels.
The data reveal that, as of 20 July 2023, cumulative rainfall across the country stood at 247 millimetres, 32% less than the usual average of 362 millimetres. Even so, this figure is an improvement on the meagre 202 millimetres of rain collected in the same period of the previous season.
Despite this, the sector considers that the 2022-2023 agricultural season has been very positive, as it has managed to significantly increase cereal production despite the adverse weather conditions. The Ministry is committed to adaptation and innovation in the sector to mitigate the climate impact on cereal production in Morocco.