Morocco: Watermelon acreage -25% in Zagora due to water restrictions

Due to restrictions imposed by the local government on watermelon cultivation in the Moroccan region of Zagora, the watermelon harvest from this region will decrease significantly. The decision is due to the depletion of water levels and the lack of rainfall in the region. The local government therefore decided at the end of October 2022 to limit the area to 0.5-1 ha per grower and to completely ban cultivation in some areas with drinking water sources. “There was great confusion and uncertainty among growers about the fate of their crops under this restriction and the extent to which the authorities would enforce it. In the end, there was an estimated 25% drop in acreage,” says Mohammed Benradi , a watermelon grower in Zagora. "Due to the restrictions, our watermelon volume this year is around 1,000 tons. The harvest is just around the corner and our export schedules will be available next week through a packing company in the city of Agadir," Benradi added. In addition to the ...