Late start to the 2025-2026 agricultural season amid lack of rainfall

Economy of the East

The 2025-2026 agricultural season is set to kick off at the end of this week, according to informed sources. The launch ceremony will be held in the Tangier-Tetouan-Hoceima region, under the supervision of Ahmed Bouari, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forestry. The late start comes in a context of almost no fall rainfall and unusually high temperatures, which is causing concern among agricultural and economic actors.

Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, recently warned in parliament that Morocco could be heading for an eighth year of drought. The difference from last year is that early precipitation was almost non-existent this fall in many areas, delaying sowing. The situation is further complicated by the sharp decline in dam stocks, with the amount of water allocated for agricultural activities being reduced or halted.

Limited grain production expected

The mid-November start date reflects the scale of the challenges facing the agricultural sector. The rainy season usually extends until April, but there is no guarantee that the rainfall will return in abundance. Unlike last year, when rainy winds from the tropics helped supply water to the desert regions of eastern Morocco and secure dam stocks, the situation is different this time around. No significant summer precipitation has been recorded, and the continued hot weather through the fall hampers any forecasts for various crops.

However, farmers remain hopeful, preferring not to go into details until the official start of the season. For its part, the Bank of Morocco expects grain production to reach 50 million quintals in 2026, better than last year's crop.

“Green Generation” strategy under pressure

The “Green Generation” agricultural strategy is facing new challenges, as its implementation has been hampered since its launch in 2020 due to successive drought years. This situation has had a negative impact on agricultural value-added, especially on inflation, with food prices rising, especially for meat, fruits and vegetables. In agricultural areas such as Sousse, questions are being raised about the resilience of the agricultural system, especially with the depletion of the underground water table, which opens the door to the possibility of rising salt water. The region is witnessing the migration of a large part of the agricultural labor force to the north, where the cultivation of red fruits remains a magnet for workers.

Sugar sector outlines its program

Pending further details on the season, ambitions are announced by sector. COSOMAR reported that this season's program includes 60,000 hectares of sugar beet and 8,000 hectares of sugar cane, of which 3,000 hectares are new plantings, depending on the availability of water resources. Sowing operations in the various sugar perimeters began on September 10, 2025.

Regarding seeds, the government has not yet announced the quantities to be distributed. However, last year, 1.26 million quintals of certified seeds were mobilized for fall cereals, of which 1.16 million were through Sonacos. Seed subsidies are expected to continue to be extended to new varieties of grains, fodder and livestock to encourage fodder farming and crop rotation.

The season's program also includes continuing the renewal of national livestock through measures such as debt relief for some 48,000 breeders worth 6 billion dirhams. Regarding fodder subsidies, government instructions stipulated subsidizing barley and setting its selling price at 1.50 dirhams per kilogram, with an expected volume of 7 million quintals.