Morocco’s Livestock Sector Severely Affected by Prolonged Droughts

Morocco’s livestock sector has experienced a 38% decline due to ongoing drought conditions. Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari reported significant job losses and the need for increased imports of cattle and red meat. Current dam capacities are critically low, affecting crop production while measures have been taken to stabilize meat prices in the domestic market.

Morocco is experiencing significant hardships in its livestock sector, with Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari reporting a 38% decline in cattle and sheep herds since the last census nine years ago. This decline results from six consecutive years of droughts that have drained Moroccan dams, leading to widespread job losses in agriculture and prompting an urgent need for enhanced desalination efforts.

El Bouari noted that rainfall was 53% below the 30-year average this year, resulting in insufficient pasture for livestock, decreased meat production, and a surge in imports of cattle and red meat. To stabilize domestic prices, Morocco’s 2025 budget has eliminated import duties and value-added taxes on cattle, sheep, camels, and red meat, allowing the country to import 124,000 sheep, 21,000 cattle, and 704 tons of red meat thus far in the year.

Currently, irrigation dams in vital farming areas, such as Doukala and Souss-Massa, are only 2% and 15% full, respectively. The national dam filling rate has fallen to 26% as the supply of drinking water to cities has been prioritized over agricultural needs. El Bouari also reported an increase in the area planted with soft wheat, durum, and barley to 2.6 million hectares; however, the outcome of wheat production is contingent on rainfall patterns through the end of March.

Last year, Morocco’s drought conditions severely impacted agricultural output, reducing production of soft wheat, durum, and barley to 3.1 million tons—43% lower than the previous year.

In summary, Morocco’s livestock sector is grappling with a 38% reduction in herds due to prolonged droughts, which have also resulted in increased imports of meat and livestock. The government’s measures to suspend import duties aim to stabilize domestic prices as water scarcity impacts both agriculture and livestock. The future of wheat production remains uncertain, dependent on upcoming rainfall.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com