Climate change poses a threat to the agricultural sector in Morocco. In 2024, national agricultural production was impacted by prolonged drought and erratic rainfall. According to the International Monetary Fund report, the grain harvest fell to 33 million quintals, well below the pre-COVID average of 75 million quintals. This worrying trend highlights the growing pressure on the country’s agricultural economy and food security.
Morocco, due to its semi-arid climate, is particularly vulnerable to climatic variations. In addition to prolonged droughts, the country faces heat waves and periods of unusual cold, leading to significant losses for strategic crops like wheat and olive oil. These climatic hazards, combined with sometimes inefficient agricultural practices, have contributed to a significant drop in yields, jeopardizing food security.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also observes that job losses in the agricultural sector keep unemployment high in Morocco, reaching 13.2% in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 12.4% a year earlier. These losses mainly affect rural areas, worsening social insecurity and the dependence of communities on subsistence agriculture.
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Climate disruption has economic repercussions. Food prices have soared, in part because of shrinking harvests and rising production costs. Food inflation has been partially mitigated by fiscal and monetary policies, but vulnerable households continue to experience significant economic pressure, the report said.
The consequences are also being felt on agricultural exports. Although phosphates and derivatives remain competitive on the international market, Morocco’s overall agricultural performance remains compromised by adverse climatic conditions.
Faced with these challenges, Morocco has implemented adaptation strategies. Massive investments have been made in water infrastructure, and the country is working to introduce modern agricultural techniques to optimize water use. “ Significant progress in water resources management and expansion of irrigation is essential to strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector », Specifies the IMF.
At the same time, efforts are being made to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The report highlights that investments in renewable energy, combined with electricity market reforms, promote decarbonization and strengthen the competitiveness of agricultural businesses. Climate change poses a challenge for Moroccan agriculture, threatening the economy, food security and the livelihoods of rural families. As the IMF report mentions, mobilizing public and private finance is essential to fill investment gaps.
