HIBAPRESS-RABAT-MAPMDR
The current agricultural season was characterized by a delay in rains, leading to a long drought at the beginning of the season, which affected crop planting. The area sown in main cereals for this season is 2.47 million hectares compared to 3.67 million hectares in 2022/23, a decrease of 33%. The harvestable area is estimated at 1.85 million hectares, or nearly 75% of the sown area.
With an average yield forecast at the national level of 16.9 Qx/Ha, the forecast production of the three main cereals for the campaign is estimated at 31.2 million quintals against 55.1 million quintals in 2022/23, down 43% compared to the previous campaign. By species, the forecast production is as follows:
-17.5 million quintals for soft wheat
-7.1 million quintals for durum wheat
-6.6 million quintals for Barley.
Legumes occupy approximately 109,140 Ha, of which 10% are irrigated, down 35% compared to the previous campaign at the same date (167,490 Ha) and 27% compared to a normal year (150,000 Ha). The main cultivated species are beans (62%), peas (22%) and lentils (14%).
Concerning sugar crops, the area sown with sugar beet is 22,672 Ha, or 42% of the program. This low rate of achievement is mainly due to the unavailability of irrigation water in the Doukkala, Tadla and Moulouya basins. For sugar cane, the area planted in autumn amounts to nearly 1,055 Ha, or 35% of the program (3,000 Ha). The forecast production of sugar beet is estimated at 1.5 million tons and that of sugar cane at 330 thousand tons.
