Morocco is expecting a sharp rebound in its cereal production, with output projected at around 90 million quintals in the 2026 agricultural season, following improved rainfall conditions after years of drought, Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a conference during the International Agriculture Fair in Morocco (SIAM) in Meknes, El Bouari said the expected harvest marks a significant recovery compared to last season, when production stood at about 44 million quintals.
He attributed the strong performance mainly to unusually high rainfall during the winter season, which improved soil conditions and expanded cultivated areas across the country. According to official data, rainfall levels reached 86.6 percent above the seasonal average, helping to replenish reservoirs and revive agricultural activity.
Authorities have also reported a notable recovery in water storage, with dam levels rising to about 75 percent, equivalent to nearly 13 billion cubic metres, following months of sustained precipitation.
Water Minister Nizar Baraka said earlier this year that the recent rainfall and snowfall effectively ended a seven-year drought that had heavily strained Morocco’s agricultural sector and water supply systems.
El Bouari said the cereal harvest estimate is based on approximately 3.9 million hectares planted with soft wheat, durum wheat and barley, representing an increase of more than 48% compared with the previous agricultural campaign.
The minister added that the improved harvest, combined with stronger performance in other agricultural subsectors, is expected to boost agricultural gross domestic product by around 15% in 2026.
Earlier government projections had placed cereal output at around 70 million quintals, in line with assumptions under the 2026 finance law, which targets overall economic growth of 4.8%.
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In response to the improved outlook, the government has decided to suspend soft wheat imports during June and July to support domestic producers and strengthen national grain reserves.
Morocco remains highly dependent on cereal imports in normal years, making production swings particularly significant for food security and public finances. Authorities say stabilising output remains a strategic priority.
Long-term plans aim to raise average cereal production to 80 million quintals by 2030. However, officials and experts caution that achieving this target will require structural reforms, including the development of drought-resistant crop varieties, improved irrigation systems and better identification of high-yield agricultural zones.
They also stress the importance of expanding climate adaptation measures such as supplementary irrigation and conservation agriculture techniques, including direct seeding, to reduce vulnerability to increasingly erratic weather patterns.
The projected rebound comes as Morocco seeks to balance agricultural resilience with growing climate pressures, after years of drought-induced volatility that weighed heavily on rural incomes and national growth.
