Morocco extends wheat import subsidies amid ongoing drought

Tuesday 25 March 2025 - 15:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco extends wheat import subsidies amid ongoing drought

Morocco has officially announced the continuation of its subsidy program for soft wheat imports throughout 2025, a strategic response to the persistent drought that has severely impacted the nation’s agricultural output.

The National Interprofessional Office for Cereals and Legumes (ONICL) confirmed that these subsidies will be available to importers from May until December 31. Reuters reported that further details regarding the program are expected to be released shortly.

This decision comes as Morocco grapples with the repercussions of six consecutive seasons of drought, which have raised significant concerns nationwide. Local authorities project that the wheat harvest for 2024 could decrease by approximately 50%, exacerbating the challenges faced by the country's cereal production industry.

Recently, Bank Al Maghrib, Morocco’s central bank, indicated a slight anticipated increase in the grain harvest for the current year, estimating it to reach 35 million quintals. This figure represents a modest improvement compared to last year's 31.2 million quintals, yet it remains dramatically lower than the 55.1 million quintals harvested in the 2022-2023 season.

In light of the ongoing crisis, Morocco has implemented several measures to alleviate the situation, including the import subsidies and public awareness campaigns promoting efficient water usage. A notable recent decision from King Mohammed VI involved the cancellation of the Eid Al Adha sacrifice ritual this year, aimed at addressing the significant decline in the cattle population due to the drought.

The drought has critically affected the nation’s water resources, with dam filling rates stagnating at 28% or approximately 4.5 billion cubic meters as of February. However, recent rainfall has slightly improved conditions, raising the filling rate to 33%, or over 5 billion cubic meters.