From Sugar to Sustainability – Cosumar Shapes Smart Agriculture in Morocco
In an era marked by increasing climate pressures and rising food security challenges, Cosumar Group asserts itself as a strategic player that combines innovation, performance, and a human dimension. Cosumar is not merely a sugar producer; it is a Moroccan success story manifested on the ground in fields, factories, and global markets, fundamentally within the lives of thousands of farmers who reside at the heart of its vision.
The group places utmost importance on water as the lifeline of agriculture, adopting advanced techniques, most notably drip irrigation, which has reduced water consumption by 25%. It has also introduced smart sensors and aerial radars to monitor the precise needs of each crop. Recognizing the urgency of water scarcity, Cosumar is aligning with the national strategy for seawater desalination, which aims to enable Morocco to reach a production capacity of approximately 1.7 billion cubic meters annually by 2050.
In the context of embracing digital and environmental transformations, the group has invested in smart agriculture, known as “Agriculture 4.0,” utilizing drones and artificial intelligence technologies to accurately diagnose soil conditions and manage fertilizers and pesticides, thus reducing their usage by 30%. Additionally, it has launched research programs to develop drought-resistant plant varieties and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The equation that Cosumar has built its development model upon is clear: Smart Agriculture + Social Support = Thriving Farmers. It has guaranteed direct support to farmers and raised the prices for crop purchases, resulting in a 35% improvement in their average income. Moreover, it has facilitated access to financing, insurance, and training, and has initiated social initiatives for farmers’ families covering education, health, and pilgrimage, reflecting a profound commitment to humanity.
The commissioning of the Sidi Bennour refinery in September 2024 marked a qualitative leap with its production capacity of half a million tons annually, relying on the latest industrial and digital systems. This robust infrastructure has strengthened Cosumar’s position in the international market, where it exported 653,000 tons of white sugar in 2024, representing a 10% increase compared to the previous year, to over 80 countries.
Despite market fluctuations and rising raw material prices, Cosumar managed to achieve notable financial performance, with a turnover of 10.239 billion dirhams and a net profit of 850 million dirhams, while reducing its debts to 556 million dirhams, reflecting the effectiveness of its diversification and proactive model.
Environmentally, Cosumar has reduced its carbon footprint by 50% between 2016 and 2024, decreased water and energy consumption by modernizing its industrial facilities, incorporated renewable energies into its production system, and diligently managed agricultural waste, converting it into clean energy.
Since the future is built not on words but on numbers, Cosumar, in partnership with the state within the framework of the “Green Generation,” has committed to increasing national white sugar production to 620,000 tons by 2030, expanding cultivated areas to 73,000 hectares, with an investment exceeding 5.7 billion dirhams. Thus, it demonstrates that food sovereignty is achieved through a clear vision, courageous investment, and deep respect for both humanity and the environment.
