(Ecofin Agency) - Morocco is projected to produce for the 2017-18 grain season an output of 10.2 million metric tons, reports Reuters which cited the country’s ministry of agriculture.

This is far above last year output which was at 3.35 million tons and very close to 2015-16 record level of 11.5 million tons.

Wheat output, the Kingdom’s main crop, should reach 7.27 million tons of which 4.94 million tons of soft wheat and 2.33 million of hard wheat. As for barley, it is expected to reach 2.89 million tons.

The scaling up of the forecast is mainly due to high rainfall which favored a better yield. In an interview with Reuters, Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco’s minister of agriculture, said the current season recorded a volume of rainfall 136% above that of 2016.

It should be recalled that in 2016, a severe drought (started in October 2015) hit the country. It was the worst in 30 years. It caused a reduction of sown areas and lower yields. These brought Morocco’s grain output down 70%.

Agriculture contributes to 15% of Morocco’s GDP and employs 35% of active population.

Espoir Olodo