Morocco to strengthen support for oasis communities as date production rises 55%

MOROCCO – Morocco’s Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari announced a major boost for the country’s date sector during the launch of the 14th International Date Fair in Erfoud.

The event, held under the theme of sustainable water resource management, brought together hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors to celebrate one of Morocco’s key crops.

El Bouari said the government remains committed to supporting communities that depend on oases for their livelihoods. “The King asked us to give more attention to these areas because of their vital role, both economically and culturally,” he told reporters.

He added that King Mohammed VI had instructed the government to focus on developing oasis regions, which face mounting challenges linked to water scarcity and climate change.

Rising production and renewed optimism

This year’s outlook is strong. “We expect this year, God willing, to exceed 160,000 tons – an increase of 55 percent compared to last season,” El Bouari said. He described the surge as proof that “oasis regions have regained their vitality and vigor.”

The improvement follows a series of good rains and improved management under the Green Morocco Plan, the country’s long-term agricultural development strategy.

Within this framework, the ministry plans to increase support for oasis communities “to help meet the needs of producers, as well as rural youth and women working in this field.”

El Bouari also expressed hope for continued favorable weather, saying, “We hope for more rain, God willing, this year as well, so that production will be good next year.”

National efforts and market outlook

The fair, organized by the Association of the International Date Fair in Morocco under the supervision of the Agriculture Ministry, covers 40,000 square meters and hosts more than 230 exhibitors from Morocco and abroad.

Over 90,000 visitors are expected to attend. Stands represent Morocco’s main date-producing regions: Drâa-Tafilalet, the Oriental, Souss-Massa, and Guelmim-Oued Noun.

The ministry’s figures indicate that Drâa-Tafilalet alone contributes 76 percent of Morocco’s total date production, followed by Souss-Massa and the Oriental regions, each contributing around 11 percent.

Despite the strong 2025/2026 forecast, Morocco’s broader goal remains to raise production to 300,000 tonnes by 2030.

Meanwhile, government data shows that Morocco imported 138,000 tonnes of dates between 2022 and 2024, a 26.6 percent rise in volume, with the import bill reaching 2.46 billion dirhams (US$266.3 million).

Authorities hope the current increase in local output will help reduce the country’s dependence on imports and strengthen the domestic market.

The event’s emphasis on sustainable practices reflects Morocco’s ongoing effort to balance productivity with responsible use of water in its fragile oasis ecosystems.

As El Bouari noted, “The development of oasis regions is not only about agriculture, but about protecting the culture and livelihoods that have shaped these landscapes for generations.”

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