RABAT, MOROCCO — Morocco’s wheat and barley production is forecast to increase 62% in the 2023-24 marketing year from the previous season following the end of a lengthy drought, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture.

The estimates include 2.98 million tonnes for common wheat, 1.18 million for durum wheat and 1.35 million for barley.

The FAS noted that because Morocco has experienced drought for four of the past five years, this year’s projected wheat output is still well below historic averages.

The Moroccan government in recent weeks has unveiled several measures to boost domestic agriculture, the report said.

On May 31, the Moroccan government stopped its common wheat import support program as prices fell with the new world wheat crop and other declining inflationary pressures. Additionally, the government will keep wheat and barley import duties at zero until the end of 2023 to encourage stock building.

The government on June 13 launched a $1 billion plan to mitigate drought impacts in the agricultural sector. Half of the funds will be devoted to the subsidy program for imported barley and dairy cattle feed. About $400 million will be used to support the purchase and distribution of inputs and the remaining $100 million will be used to support the Credit Agricole and improve access to financing to farmers, the FAS said.