Morocco’s vegetable season hit by delays as heatwaves and seed shortages strain growers

MOROCCO – Morocco’s early vegetable season will begin more than a month late this year, with farmers warning that rising temperatures and seed shortages continue to hold back production.

The delay adds to ongoing challenges that have disrupted the country’s export calendar in recent years.

Mohamed Ait Elmkadem, general manager of Agadir-based Orisud, says the late start is a clear sign of climate change affecting the country’s agriculture. “The delayed start to the campaign is a clear manifestation of climate change hitting Morocco. It has been amplified this season by the heatwaves we experienced this summer, which dealt a severe blow to producers and complicated planting, and therefore the entire export season,” he explains.

The most damaging period came in August when temperatures soared. “The plantings that usually take place in July and August, whose harvests open the season in late September and early October, were severely affected,” says Ait Elmkadem. “Furthermore, many growers were reluctant to replant immediately for fear of viruses affecting tomatoes and peppers, which cause more damage in high temperatures.”

Farmers say even after conditions improved, the lack of seeds made it difficult to restart planting. “It is difficult to find seeds, which has further delayed replanting. Some producers in the region have not yet replanted their fields, while others are just beginning to do so. And many of them have had to convert their greenhouses to other products due to the lack of seed availability,” he adds.

Tomatoes and peppers are the most affected crops, especially specialty tomato types, while round tomatoes have shown better resilience. Despite the setbacks, Ait Elmkadem believes overall volumes will recover later. “The delay will not impact overall volumes, as the gap in volumes will be filled later in the season, around March or April,” he notes.

Growers expect the season to start around mid-November, but challenges will likely extend into export markets. “This long delay means a difficult season in terms of marketing. Firstly, growers have been unable to fulfill their contracts. Secondly, large volumes of tomatoes, peppers, and other products will arrive on the market simultaneously, which will inevitably lead to a drop in prices. It is unlikely that we will see the usual price peaks in January or February,” says Ait Elmkadem.

The coming months will test the resilience of Morocco’s vegetable sector once again. While farmers hope later harvests will balance early losses, the wider effects of extreme weather and seed shortages remain serious concerns.

Morocco rejects EU media claims

Meanwhile, Morocco’s Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters has rejected what it called a “disinformation campaign” by European media about pesticide residues in Moroccan tomatoes. The group stated that Moroccan produce meets strict inspection standards and remains the leading non-European tomato supplier to the EU since 2023.

According to the association, Morocco’s food safety authority ONSSA ensures rigorous oversight. It cited EU data showing that between 2020 and 2025, only 49 out of 5,502 import notifications involved Morocco, representing less than 1 percent. “The data confirm the reliability of Morocco’s inspection system managed by ONSSA, which is recognized for its high level of rigor and transparency,” the statement said.

Despite the controversy, Morocco exported 568,370 tons of tomatoes to the EU during the 2024–2025 season and reached total exports of 745,000 tons globally, generating an estimated US$1.2 billion. The association said these results reflect the consistency of Moroccan production and its adherence to international food safety standards.

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