Morocco Expects Strong Cereal Harvest of 90 Million Quintals in 2026 Season

Rabat – Morocco is expecting a significant recovery in its agricultural sector, with a projected cereal harvest of around 90 million quintals for the current season, according to Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari.

Speaking on Tuesday at a conference during the International Agriculture Show (SIAM) in Meknes, the minister said the expected output represents a sharp increase over last season, when production did not exceed 44 million quintals.

El Bouari attributed this improvement mainly to recent rainfall, which helped expand cultivated areas and improve crop conditions. Morocco recorded rainfall levels 86.6% higher than a normal year, contributing to a strong agricultural season after several years of drought.

The country witnessed unusually intense rainfall this winter season, which helped raise dam levels across the country. Minister of Water and Equipment, Nizar Baraka, announced earlier this year that the recent rainfall officially ended seven years of consecutive drought.

He recently told the parliament that recent rainfall and snowfall have raised dam fill levels to 75%, equivalent to nearly 13 billion cubic meters.

El Bouari said that the expected cereal output is based on an estimated 3.9 million hectares planted with the three main autumn cereals, including soft wheat, durum wheat, and barley. This represents an increase of more than 48% compared to the previous season.

The minister added that the strong harvest, along with improved performance in other agricultural activities, is expected to boost agricultural GDP by 15% in 2026.

Earlier government forecasts had projected a cereal harvest of around 70 million quintals, based on assumptions in the 2026 finance law, which targeted economic growth of 4.8%.

The government has decided to suspend soft wheat imports during June and July to support domestic production and strengthen national grain reserves.

Morocco aims to reach an average cereal production of 80 million quintals by 2030. Experts say achieving this goal will require climate-resistant crop varieties, better mapping of productive agricultural areas, and wider use of techniques such as supplementary irrigation and direct seeding.

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