Faced with a persistent drought which has heavily impacted the Berkane region, a bastion of citrus production, hope is being reborn thanks to major infrastructure projects. Essaid El Khounchafi, CEO of Atlas Green Generations, is optimistic: “The region is ready for an agricultural renaissance, very soon. “.
The drought has inflicted heavy losses on the Berkane region. The average areas devoted to citrus fruits have fallen drastically, from 22 hectares to only 13 hectares. Furthermore, only seven of the region’s 17 packing stations are still in operation. The consequences are visible: a halving of harvested volumes compared to a normal season, smaller fruits and reduced working hours in the packaging centers. This situation has accentuated economic stagnation in a region traditionally oriented towards agriculture.
However, colossal efforts are being made to reverse the trend. “The region will come back in force, not only in the citrus industry, but also with new crops,” says El Khounchafi to Freshplaza. Inspired by the Souss-Massa model, the Berkane region is banking on desalination stations to alleviate water stress. A station is being built in Saïdia and should be operational from 2027. At the same time, the Mohammed V dam, the region’s main reservoir, is being developed to significantly increase its capacity. “These infrastructures will guarantee a return to normal of agricultural activities,” explains El Khounchafi. Logistically, the upcoming opening of the Nador West Med port, rivaling Tanger Med, promises to strengthen the connection of Moroccan exporters to European, American, Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
In anticipation of future infrastructure, the agricultural sector of Berkane is already anticipating new opportunities. A recent agreement now allows the export of Moroccan clementines to Japan. Other partnerships are currently being negotiated.
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Atlas Green Generations also explores diversification. “This year we conducted successful trials for soft fruit production. Next year, we will test avocado and organic products,” confides El Khounchafi. The company plans expanded production including citrus fruits, melons, watermelons, pomegranates and greenhouse-grown vegetables, in a strategy aimed at producing all year round.
Despite these promising prospects, challenges remain. Access to sufficient labor is becoming a growing problem, as many local workers prefer seasonal jobs in Spain. “We will have to align ourselves with Spanish salaries, a challenge in Moroccan dirhams,” underlines El Khounchafi, always to the same source.
Finally, the region will need to modernize its storage and packaging infrastructure. If packing stations resume operations, more cold storage will need to be built to accommodate increased export volumes.
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Despite the obstacles, the Berkane region is preparing for a new agricultural boost. Thanks to modern infrastructure and crop diversification, it intends to once again become a major player in Moroccan agriculture and a serious competitor on international markets.
