Morocco’s agricultural, fishing sectors plunge in 2024 amid drought, climate strain
Agriculture is a pillar of the Moroccan economy, and in 2023, it amounted to more than 11% of the country’s gross domestic product.
Morocco’s agricultural sector declined by 4.8% in 2024 compared to a 1.5% increase the previous year, according to figures released Friday by the High Commission of Planning, as drought and the impacts of climate change hit one of the country’s key industries.
Growth from the fisheries sector, a key source of income for Morocco since the early 20th century, also saw a sharp drop from nearly 6.9% in 2023 to 2.6% in 2024.
Why it matters: Agriculture is a pillar of the Moroccan economy, and in 2023, it amounted to more than 11% of the country’s gross domestic product. According to a World Bank estimate, in 2023, agriculture employed nearly 30% of the North African country’s workforce.
Over the last couple of years, Morocco has faced its worst drought in four decades, severely impacting agricultural output as farmers struggle with limited water for crops and livestock. As a result, on Feb. 26, Morocco's King Mohammed VI announced the cancellation of the Eid al-Adha sacrifice. The Islamic Eid al-Adha holiday falls on June 5-9 this year.
