Morocco’s livestock has declined by 38% due to severe drought conditions over the past six years, according to agriculture minister Ahmed El Bouari. Rainfall this year was 53% below average, leading to meat production drops and increased imports. The government has suspended taxes on certain imports to stabilize market prices, while agricultural areas suffer from low water supply in irrigation dams.
The agriculture minister of Morocco, Ahmed El Bouari, reported a significant decline in the country’s livestock, revealing a 38% decrease in cattle and sheep herds over the past nine years, primarily due to ongoing droughts. The country is grappling with the repercussions of six years of extreme drought, which have severely depleted its dams, triggered widespread job losses in the farming sector, and prompted the government to expedite its desalination initiatives.
Rainfall in 2023 was recorded at 53% below the average of the previous 30 years, resulting in inadequate pasture for livestock and a reduction in meat production. This has led to an increase in the country’s reliance on imports for cattle and red meat, as evidenced by Morocco importing 124,000 sheep, 21,000 cattle, and 704 tons of red meat so far this year.
To stabilize local market prices, Morocco’s 2025 budget includes the suspension of import duties and value-added tax on cattle, sheep, camels, and red meat. El Bouari noted that the irrigation dams located in crucial agricultural areas like Doukala and Souss-Massa are alarmingly low, with only 2% and 15% capacity, respectively, which has contributed to a national dam filling rate of just 26%.
This priority for urban water supply over agricultural needs exacerbates the challenges facing farmers, particularly those growing essential crops. The area planted with Morocco’s staple grains, including soft wheat, durum, and barley, has slightly increased from 2.4 million hectares to 2.6 million hectares. However, future wheat outputs remain uncertain, dependent on rainfall patterns through the end of March.
Morocco is experiencing severe agricultural challenges, notably a drastic reduction in livestock numbers and a struggle to meet domestic meat production needs due to ongoing droughts. The government’s efforts to boost water supplies for urban areas have adversely affected farming regions, causing a reliance on imports and uncertainty in crop yields. Stabilization efforts in the meat market reflect an urgent response to these agricultural crises.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
