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Weekly highlights

Cereal season: Free fall

I T is official: the delay in pared to the previous season (303
mm) on the same date.
rainfall and their scarcity
This crop year was also charac-
have had a strong impact
on the 2021/2022 grain
tion of rainfall, with nearly a third
season. The final production of terized by a poor temporal distribu-
the main cereals for this season of the rainfall occurring during the
is about 34 million quintals, i.e. a months of November and December
drop of 67% compared to the pre- and 53% of the cumulative rainfall
vious crop year which recorded occurring in the months of March
an exceptional performance of and April.
103.2 million quintals, explains Overall, the forecast value ad-
the ministry of Agriculture. Its ded should register a drop of 14%.
press release published on Monday It would result in a drop in growth
August 8th draws up an inventory points of 1.8. Several factors would
per region and per month. Thus, contribute to this, taking into account
the very low rainfall, or even its the final production of cereals, the
absence in several regions of the performance of arboriculture, market
Kingdom during the months of Ja- gardening, and spring crops, as well
nuary and February, caused a delay as the positive effects of the program
in the growth of cereals and a more previous season. By species, cereal is due to the decline in the irriga- aiming at mitigating the effects and
or less significant drop in yields production is as follows: 18.9 mil- ted area of cereals and irrigation the impact of the rainfall deficit, in
depending on the region. Cereals lion quintals of soft wheat, 8.1 mil- restrictions in the large hydraulics particular on livestock breeding.
in favorable areas fared relatively lion quintals of durum wheat, and perimeters”, say the officials. In anticipation of the next 2022-
better following the rainfall of the 7.0 million quintals of barley. As a reminder, the 2021/2022 2023 crop year, the line ministry is
last dekad of February, March, and Nearly 58% of production comes agricultural season experienced planning a series of measures, inclu-
early April. from the favorable regions of Fez- rainfall which at the end of May ding subsidies, storage payments,
The cereal area sown for this Meknes and Rabat-Salé-Kenitra. 2022 reached 199 mm, down 44% supply of fertilizers, selected seeds,
season is 3.6 million hectares ver- Irrigated cereals contributed only compared to the 30-year average and other measures.o
sus 4.35 million hectares during the 20.7% of the total production. “This (355 mm) and a drop of 34% com- Fatim Zahra TOHRY

Tourism: Marrakech makes up for lost time

D ESPITE the strong heat of with a growth of 5% compared to
June 2019, insists the department of
July, Marrakech attracts
tourism. Moroccans residing abroad
international and domestic
tourists. The destination
growth, with the arrival of “620,000
continues on its upward trend in (MRA) contributed strongly to this
terms of arrivals and overnight stays. MRA in June, representing a growth
The clubs record occupancy rates of of 27% compared to June 2019”.
more than 80%, while in the other These arrivals should experience a
categories, this rate ranges between peak from August 15 2022 onwards.
50 and 60%. In the eyes of tourism Marrakech monopolizes the lion’s
professionals and in particular hote- share thanks to its hotel infrastruc-
liers, the occupancy rate is the true ture, its parks, its swimming pools,
indicator of the health of tourism and its nightlife. In Marrakech, it
in Marrakech. This rate rose from must be said that the professionals
58 to 63% over the first 6 months who have shown themselves to be
of the year. “It’s still not enough”, resilient during the crisis despite
says Lahcen Zelmat, vice-president closures during the periods of the The Jemaa El Fna Square has regained its former life. Domestic and international tourist
of the Marrakesh regional council pandemic, make the “Ocher City” arrivals are on the rise and suggest a good winter season if the pace is maintained
(Photo by L’Economiste)
for tourism (CRT), and president of a special case in the development of
the National federation of the hotel Moroccan tourism. after a rehabilitation that lasted 4 The Ocher City should regain its
industry. Since the opening of the Marrakech is gradually regaining years. In the heart of the old medi- place as the african capital of events.
air borders, foreign tourists have its health. Its Jemaa El Fna square na of the Ocher City, this madrasa For their part, professionals hope to
returned, says the line department, has regained its soul and its collec- is also a jewel of arab-andalusian exceed the 60% mark as an occu-
and this is the case for all Moroccan tive identity with its shows and res- architecture dating back more than pancy rate and regain the confidence
tourist cities. The pace accelerated taurants. The great monuments are four centuries. Finally, the outlook of investors.o
in June, a month which recorded also regaining vigor, like the Ben for september and october is good,
more than 1,140,000 tourist arrivals Youssef madrasa, which reopened according to a local tour operator. Badra BERRISSOULE

Friday 12 August 2022