Moroccan tomato growers are facing a difficult transition after the country emerged from a seven-year drought, according to FreshPlaza. Recent heavy rains have brought much-needed relief but also new challenges.
In the southern Souss-Massa region, one of Morocco’s main agricultural hubs, the impact has been moderate. Still, growers are concerned about crop quality and export volumes.
Amine Amanatoullah, a grower based in Agadir, told FreshPlaza that the rains have caused plant health problems.
“We are facing a major issue with mildew due to humidity. Virus-resistant tomato varieties are not necessarily resistant to mildew,” he said.
Amanatoullah added that tomatoes in the region have long suffered from viruses such as ToBRFV. New weather patterns are now creating additional threats.
Although dam levels have returned to pre-drought levels, the water supply is not yet fully stable. Amanatoullah said growers still rely on desalination plants, while pipelines connecting farms to dams are under maintenance and may take one to two months to repair.
Domestic tomato supplies remain sufficient. “Tomatoes for the domestic market, which is less concerned with appearance and size, are available,” he said.
However, European markets are feeling the impact. Lower yields and delays in shipping have caused logistical problems. Suspended maritime rotations and port congestion are slowing exports.
“Products sometimes arrive in poor condition, even if they were packed well in Agadir,” Amanatoullah said.
Growers describe this period as a natural transition between extreme weather patterns. Amanatoullah expressed optimism for the future:
“The coming season should be exceptionally good for all agricultural production in the country. Growers who endured the drought will be rewarded with better quality, better-tasting fruits and vegetables, and higher yields,” he said.
The Moroccan government has officially declared the drought over, but growers now face the challenge of selecting crop varieties capable of withstanding both arid conditions and heavy rains, according to FreshPlaza.
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