Morocco’s olive harvest to decline 6% amid prolonged drought

MOROCCO – The 2024/2025 olive harvest in Morocco is projected to reach 950,000 tonnes, marking an 11% decrease from the previous season, Ahmed El Bouari, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, reported on October 28.

To explain this decline, the minister highlighted the cumulative impact of the persistent drought, which has lasted for nearly six years, on orchard productivity.

Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt rank among the top olive producers in Africa. Olive orchards occupy over 1.2 million hectares, or approximately 65% of Morocco’s permanent agricultural land, underscoring the crop’s importance to rural livelihoods and food security.  

In regions like Meknes, Fes, and the Saiss Plains, where olive farming is central, many households rely on olive cultivation for their income.

However, ongoing drought conditions have severely affected Morocco’s water resources, impacting olives and other vital crops. Agriculture accounts for about 80% of Morocco’s water consumption, and with water supplies dwindling, the sector is experiencing significant strain.

The olive industry has been particularly vulnerable, as olive trees are highly sensitive to water stress.

According to El Bouari, the increased temperatures during the flowering phase have reduced olive yields, even in areas equipped with irrigation systems. This situation reflects the challenges of climate change, which is intensifying arid conditions across North Africa.

Alongside reduced olive production, olive oil yields are also projected to decrease significantly. The Ministry of Agriculture estimates that olive oil output for the 2024/2025 season will reach 90,000 tonnes, a shortfall against Morocco’s domestic consumption needs, which typically range from 130,000 to 140,000 tonnes annually.

The shortfall has led to concerns about potential shortages and rising prices in local markets, especially as olive oil is a staple in Moroccan households.

In response, the Moroccan government has introduced measures to offset the anticipated olive oil deficit.

On October 19, it announced in its Official Bulletin that it will permit the importation of 30,000 tonnes of virgin and extra virgin olive oil between 2024 and 2025.

This imported oil will be exempt from value-added taxes (VAT), allowing it to be more affordably distributed domestically to stabilize the market.

While short-term measures like importation are necessary to mitigate immediate supply gaps, the Moroccan government has also been encouraging sustainable farming practices to improve resilience.

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