Morocco’s 2021-2022 cereal harvest is estimated at 32 million quintals (Mqx), a decline of 69% compared to the record 2019-2020 campaign. The reason: the low rainfall and its poor distribution.
This production results from the reduction in the areas sown, approaching 3.6 million hectares for the 3 cereal species, indicates a note from the Ministry of Agriculture, which specifies that the harvest of soft wheat is 17.6 million Qx, that of durum wheat at 7.5 million Qx and 6.9 million Qx for barley.
This return is unequally distributed, it is pointed out. More than 60% of production comes from favorable areas in the regions of Fez-Meknes and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra. Cereals in irrigated areas only contributed about 20% to overall production, due to irrigation restrictions in these areas.
On the other hand, the other crops grew in volume. Indeed, overall, the cumulative rains since the beginning of March have contributed to restoring the plant cover to normal levels and ensured the smooth running of spring crops, underlines the same source.
According to the ministry, this last agricultural campaign was hit by low rainfall which reached 188 mm at the end of April, a decrease of 42% compared to the previous campaign (289 mm) on the same date. In addition to the low rainfall and its delay, the rainfall profile was also characterized by poor temporal and territorial distribution.
