Summer 2025 confirms a well-established trend: extreme heat waves are disrupting Moroccan agriculture. Climate change is no longer a hypothesis; it is already manifesting in the fields.
Crops in Distress
With temperatures regularly exceeding 45°C, plants are struggling to cope. In Casablanca-Settat, wheat shows a significant decline, while red fruits in Agadir and Taroudant have not withstood the heat: entire plants were scorched by spikes nearing 50°C.
Water, a Pressured Resource
Each day, up to 1.5 million cubic meters of water evaporate, worsening an already critical situation. Weakened dams, overexploited aquifers, intensive irrigation: water management is becoming an energy and strategic challenge.
A Vulnerable Agriculture
With over 80% of agricultural land relying on rainfall, Morocco remains at the mercy of the climate. Sensitive crops, like watermelons and salads, are facing losses of up to 40%. In the oases, the decline of palm trees is accelerating due to inadequate replanting.
A Heavy Economic Impact
Agriculture, which accounts for 14% of GDP and sustains nearly 40% of the workforce, is witnessing a drop in productivity. Some harvests lose up to 70% of yield during heat peaks. Morocco must then import more to ensure supply, leading to an increasing trade imbalance.
Towards Urgent Adaptation
Solutions are emerging: more resilient varieties, drip irrigation, monitoring of water extraction, post-harvest storage infrastructure… However, the pace of climate change necessitates rapid and multisectoral mobilization.
“Just one day of heatwave can destroy a harvest,” warns Karim Chemaou, a producer in Kenitra. The message is clear: agricultural resilience has become a strategic priority. And in this fight, every degree counts.