Morocco's date production for the 2025–2026 agricultural season is forecast to reach 160,000 tons, announced Ahmed El Bouari, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, on Wednesday in Erfoud. This figure represents a significant 55% increase compared to the previous season, the minister told the press on the sidelines of the 14th International Date Fair in Morocco (SIDATTES 2025), held from October 29 to November 2. El Bouari emphasized that, in line with the High Royal Directives calling for special attention to the development of oasis regions, the ministry remains fully committed to intensifying its efforts to support farmers and producers across these areas. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, this exceptional performance is due to favorable climatic conditions that benefited the date palm sector, particularly in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, which remains Morocco's primary production area, contributing 76% of national output, followed by Souss-Massa and the Oriental region with 11% each. Mild winter temperatures followed by rainfall in March and April, coinciding with the flowering stage, helped boost fruit set and ripening, the ministry explained. The date palm industry generates an annual turnover of up to 2 billion dirhams and nearly 3.6 million workdays, providing direct or indirect livelihoods to around 2 million people. It also plays a crucial role in preserving ancestral know-how and a cultural heritage recognized internationally. From an environmental perspective, the date palm plays a vital role in combating desertification and preserving biodiversity. Thanks to efforts under the Green Morocco Plan and the Generation Green 2020–2030 strategy, national date production has increased by 77%, rising from 90,400 tons in 2008 to 160,000 tons in 2025, confirming the sector's resilience and dynamism despite climatic and water-related challenges in recent years. SIDATTES 2025 is organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and features around 230 exhibitors, with over 90,000 visitors expected throughout the event.
