Floods in Morocco: red berry producers severely affected

12:00

By: Sahili Aya

Floods in Morocco: red berry producers severely affected

Recent severe weather conditions have caused widespread flooding in northern Morocco, with agricultural producers—particularly those cultivating red berries—reporting significant damage in the Loukkos region.

Heavy rainfall in recent days has led to rising water levels and flooding in several areas, exceeding the storage capacity of nearby dams, many of which are now saturated or close to reaching their limits. The situation has been especially critical in Ksar El Kébir, a city crossed by the Loukkos River, where authorities were forced to evacuate residents as a precaution.

According to figures released by the Ministry of the Interior, more than 108,000 people were evacuated due to the exceptional flooding. Most evacuations took place in four provinces, with Larache Province recording the highest number at 81,709 residents, particularly in Ksar El Kébir, where nearly 85 percent of the population left areas considered at risk. Other affected provinces include Kénitra Province with 14,133 evacuees, Sidi Kacem Province with 9,728, and Sidi Slimane Province with 2,853.

Although most red berry production areas are located outside the most heavily flooded zones, the sector has still suffered notable damage. Intense rainfall and strong winds have affected farms and infrastructure, particularly greenhouses used to cultivate strawberries, raspberries and other berries.

Amine Bennani, president of the Moroccan Association of Red Fruit Producers, stated that at least 10 percent of the cultivated area in the Loukkos region may have been damaged. He explained that the situation is further complicated by the shortage of agricultural labor, which traditionally comes from Ksar El Kébir.

This disruption has created additional challenges for farms in the surrounding areas, particularly around Larache, one of Morocco’s main hubs for red berry production. Farmers report flooded plantations in low-lying areas near rivers, as well as greenhouses damaged or torn apart by strong winds.

Producers say they remain concerned about the possibility of further deterioration if heavy rainfall continues. For now, the full extent of the agricultural losses remains difficult to determine as authorities and farmers continue to assess the damage.