Morocco’s livestock has decreased by 38% due to consecutive droughts, leading to reduced meat production and increased imports. The government has suspended import duties on livestock to stabilize prices. Irrigation dams are critically low, prioritizing urban water supply, and the wheat yield will depend on rainfall in the coming months.
Morocco has experienced a significant reduction in its livestock population, with a 38% decrease in cattle and sheep herds compared to the last census conducted nine years ago. This decline is attributed to six consecutive years of severe drought, which have led to empty dams, substantial job losses in the agricultural sector, and an urgent need for the nation to expedite its desalination projects.
In 2023, rainfall has been 53% lower than the average from the past 30 years, as reported by Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari. Consequently, the lack of pasture for livestock has resulted in decreased meat production, necessitating an increase in imports of cattle and red meat to meet domestic demand.
To stabilize market prices amidst these challenges, Morocco has suspended import duty and VAT on livestock and red meat in its 2025 budget. So far this year, the nation has imported 124,000 sheep, 21,000 cattle, and 704 tons of red meat to compensate for the loss in local production.
The agricultural irrigation dams in critical regions such as Doukala and Souss-Massa are alarming low, with levels at only 2% and 15% full, respectively. The overall national dam filling rate is at a mere 26%, primarily prioritizing water supply for urban areas over agricultural needs.
The area dedicated to cultivating the country’s staple crops, including soft wheat, durum, and barley, has risen to 2.6 million hectares from 2.4 million hectares the previous year. The overall yield of wheat will largely depend on rainfall patterns through the end of March. Last year, drought conditions severely impacted crop yields, with output plummeting by 43% to just 3.1 million tons.
In summary, Morocco’s livestock industry faces severe challenges due to persistent drought conditions, resulting in decreased herd sizes and increased imports of meat. The government’s strategic measures to suspend import tariffs aim to stabilize the market amid a water crisis affecting agricultural irrigation. The coming months will be pivotal in determining the success of wheat production, contingent on forthcoming rainfall.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
