Casablanca – Severe weather conditions in northern Morocco over recent days have caused extensive flooding in the Loukkos basin, leading to significant damage across several agricultural sectors, most notably the berry industry, one of the region’s key export pillars. The combination of torrential rainfall, strong winds, rising river levels, and mass evacuations has placed farmers under acute pressure, with consequences that extend beyond local production to national export supply chains.

The Loukkos basin, located mainly in Larache Province and extending toward Kenitra and surrounding areas, is among Morocco’s most productive agricultural zones. It hosts a dense concentration of berry farms, including strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, cultivated largely under plastic greenhouses for both domestic consumption and export markets. However, exceptional weather patterns have disrupted this model.

According to professional estimates and producer organizations, more than 20% of the region’s berry greenhouses have suffered damage due to strong winds that tore plastic coverings and, in some cases, collapsed structures. In parallel, flooding has directly affected between 10% and 15% of farms, particularly those located in low-lying areas or near waterways. In several cases, entire plots have been submerged, leading to plant loss, fruit damage, and irreversible yield reductions.

These events have occurred at a sensitive stage in the agricultural calendar. Many berry plantations are currently in full production, while others are in flowering or early fruit-setting phases. As a result, the physical damage to greenhouses and the saturation of soils have disrupted normal crop development, increased the risk of root suffocation and disease, and complicated routine farming operations such as irrigation management, pest control, and harvesting.

The hydrological situation has further compounded the crisis. Heavy rainfall has exceeded the retention capacity of major dams in the Loukkos basin, including the Oued El Makhazine dam, which has recorded exceptional inflows over a short period. Reservoir levels have reached or surpassed historical highs, raising concerns about downstream flooding risks. In response, authorities implemented large-scale preventive evacuations, displacing more than 108,000 people across several northern and Gharb provinces, with the majority concentrated in Larache, particularly in the city of Ksar El Kébir.

Although Ksar El Kébir itself is not a primary berry production zone, it plays a central role in supplying agricultural labor to surrounding farms. The evacuation of residents has resulted in an abrupt shortage of workers, creating a second major constraint for producers. With reduced labor availability, many farms have been unable to repair damaged greenhouses, drain flooded fields, or harvest ripe fruit on time. As a result, losses have increased not only because of physical destruction but also due to delayed or abandoned harvests.

Producers report that some farms are currently operating at minimal capacity, relying on limited staff to maintain essential operations. This situation has intensified logistical challenges, particularly for time-sensitive crops such as berries, which require rapid harvesting, cooling, and transport to meet export quality standards. Without sufficient labor, fruit risks overripening or spoiling in the fields, further reducing marketable volumes.

The impact on exports is already evident. Industry representatives indicate that export supply for the current week and the following two weeks is seriously compromised. In some farms, the harvest has been entirely lost, while in others, quality degradation is expected due to delays in harvesting and post-harvest handling. Given that the Loukkos region accounts for a substantial share of Morocco’s berry exports, particularly to European markets, the disruption may have short-term implications for export volumes, contractual commitments, and revenue generation.

Beyond berries, other strategic crops in the region—including potatoes, sugar crops, and cereals—have also been affected by the floods, although the berry sector appears particularly vulnerable due to its reliance on greenhouse infrastructure, intensive labor, and strict market timelines. The cumulative effect of infrastructure damage, labor shortages, and logistical disruptions underscores the exposure of high-value agricultural chains to extreme weather events.

Producers and professional organizations have expressed growing concern about the evolution of the situation, especially as further rainfall is forecast. The instability of weather conditions makes it difficult to conduct a definitive assessment of losses at this stage. Damage estimates remain provisional, as additional flooding or wind events could worsen the situation, while a period of stable weather could allow for partial recovery and repair.

In the meantime, efforts are underway to manage the crisis on the ground. Some producers are focusing on emergency repairs to greenhouses, draining flooded fields, and salvaging remaining crops where possible. Solidarity initiatives have also emerged within the farming community, with operators sharing equipment, labor, and logistical resources to limit losses. However, these measures remain constrained by the broader context of evacuations and infrastructure pressure.

The current episode has once again highlighted the vulnerability of certain agricultural activities to climate-related risks. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall, flooding, and storms, pose growing challenges to production systems that depend on controlled environments and precise scheduling. In this context, stakeholders are increasingly calling for strengthened prevention, adaptation, and risk management mechanisms, including improved drainage infrastructure, reinforced greenhouse structures, enhanced early warning systems, and expanded insurance coverage.

As the Loukkos region navigates the immediate aftermath of these floods, the full economic and social impact will become clearer in the coming weeks. For now, the priority remains ensuring the safety of affected populations, stabilizing agricultural operations, and preventing further losses. The situation serves as a reminder of the need for resilient agricultural strategies capable of withstanding climatic shocks while maintaining food production, employment, and export performance.