The Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Waters and Forests has announced an estimated production of 55.1 million quintals (Mqx) for the main cereals – common wheat, durum wheat, and barley – in the 2022/2023 agricultural campaign.
This marks a 62% increase from the previous campaign, owing to a 2.8% increase in sown areas of main cereals. The production is distributed over soft wheat (29.8 Mqx), durum wheat (11.8 Mqx), and barley (13.5 Mqx), with four regions – Fès-Meknes (27.1%), Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (26.5%), Grand Casablanca-Settat (16.9%), and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (12.4%) – accounting for 82.9% of the national production.
The press release highlights that the current agricultural campaign faced unfavorable climatic conditions, with the first rains delayed and a water deficit causing negative impacts on the installation of autumn crops and rangelands.
Nevertheless, the rainfall was concentrated from November 2022 to the end of February 2023. On April 27, the cumulative rainfall was 207 mm, a 36% decrease compared to a normal year (322mm), but a 13% increase compared to the previous campaign (184 mm) on the same date. The filling rate of dams on April 27 was 33%, up from 31% in the same period of the previous campaign.
Apart from the regions of Gharb and Loukkos, which had normal irrigation, the other large perimeters experienced restrictions or even the cessation of irrigation. The ministry specified that large dams had a low occupancy rate, particularly in the Haouz and Tadla regions. The agricultural campaign is part of a climatic sequence of 5 difficult years marked by the succession of dry years.
Favorable conditions in 2022 allowed good flowering, which indicates a foreseeable return to normal for citrus and olive production. The climatic conditions in the south of the Atlas also point to an increase in the date campaign compared to last year. The spring vegetable production allowed a recovery of the market for the main vegetables, namely tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. The early production supplied the national market and covered the needs while regulating the tomato market.
The inflation in the agricultural sector greatly impacted production costs with a notable increase in agricultural inputs, particularly those imported, such as nitrogen fertilizers and phytosanitary products. The 2022/2023 campaign is characterized by correct vegetation cover on the rangelands, particularly in the south, Timahdit, and the mountain areas.
The livestock sector has improved significantly compared to 2022, following the implementation of the program to reduce the impact of the rainfall deficit launched in March 2022 on the instructions of Sa Majesty King Mohammed VI. The program concerns the distribution of subsidized barley and subsidized compound feed for the benefit of breeders, as well as support for livestock watering through the development and equipment of water points.
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