Morocco to increase wheat imports as drought weakens crop

Due to drought and a weak crop, Morocco will need to increase wheat imports for this season, according to Moroccan agricultural interprofessional organization Comader.

Wheat harvest this year will be «a lot less» than the previous year's 4 million tons and lower than the government's budgeted 7.5 million tons of wheat, Comader Chairman Rachid Benali told Bloomberg on Monday.

«We will need to increase imports. We have no choice», Benali said. «Agriculture is a cyclical process, and this year we did not have a proper start».

Morocco is one of the Mediterranean countries hardest hit by drought. A recent EU report shows critically low water levels in Moroccan reservoirs, with dam filling reaching only 23%.

In response to these persistent weather patterns, Morocco has implemented water use restrictions, which will be further bolstered by seawater desalination projects to alleviate water stress. Additionally, Morocco has ordered public parks and car washes to close three days a week.