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Moroccan olive farmers and agricultural researchers have expressed optimism about a good season for olives and olive oil, following significant rainfall in several growing regions recently, which coincided with the start of the flowering period for olive trees in late March.
They confirmed that the rains would help boost flowering and reduce irrigation costs, pointing to an expected drop in olive and olive oil marketing prices of between 10 and 20 percent during the coming season.
Experts noted that the rains helped clear the air of bacteria harmful to tree flowering, while also raising groundwater levels and filling a number of dams. The overall fill rate of Morocco's dams stood at around 37.84 percent on Thursday, equivalent to 6.37 million cubic metres, compared with 26.84 percent on the same day last year.
The past agricultural season saw a sharp decline in olive production due to drought, with some regions recording crop losses of up to 80 percent, particularly in Fes-Meknes and El Attaouia in Kelaat Sraghna province, driving the price of a litre of olive oil above the 100-dirham threshold.
The recent rains have had a clear positive impact, with production expected to rise in all regions known for olive cultivation. The air has also become free of the bacteria that hinder olive flowering, which bodes well for an abundant season.
However, some trees severely affected by drought and dust may not respond quickly and will not be productive this season despite the rains, with hopes pinned on these trees regaining their vitality next season.
It was stressed that the expected rise in production mainly concerns trees that retained their greenery, whose owners made sure to irrigate them regularly during previous periods.
The rainfall recorded in March is expected to revive all crops, especially both rain-fed (baouri) and irrigated olive varieties, with a notable improvement in yields expected compared with previous years.
The timing of the rains was described as ideal, as they came during the flowering stage — a sensitive period when trees need abundant water — boosting the chances of an outstanding production season.
Nevertheless, olive trees are known for their alternate-bearing nature between one year and the next, which could partly affect the expected results.
Olive and olive oil prices are expected to fall by between 10 and 20 percent, with farmers not needing to irrigate during March and relying more on dam water, which has become abundantly available. This is expected to help reduce production costs, particularly in areas such as Marrakech, El Attaouia, Kelaat Sraghna, Tadla and Beni Moussa.
The importance of regulating exports and maintaining a balance between supply and demand to ensure price stability was emphasised, alongside the need to curb the role of intermediaries who contribute to unjustified price increases.