El Bouri: Morocco Among the World’s Largest Producers of Carob
Ahmed El Bouri, the Minister of Agriculture, confirmed that Morocco is one of the largest producers of carob globally. The carob tree is an important natural species found in both state forests and private lands. Its cultivation is particularly widespread in the Béni Mellal-Khénifra, Marrakech-Safi, and Souss-Massa regions.
The minister explained that the production and transportation of carob are governed by forestry laws. In state forest areas, the harvest is sold through annual public auctions or partnerships with local cooperatives. Regarding private lands, the ministry is working on updating the legal framework to facilitate private sector investment in the cultivation and processing of carob, as well as to simplify its transportation process.
El Bouri noted that the carob supply chain receives financial support through the Agricultural Development Fund, which includes subsidies covering up to 60% of seedling costs and 20% of investment value in processing units. Under the “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030” strategy, the ministry aims to implement a program that seeks to expand cultivated areas by more than 120,000 hectares, with a focus on enhancing production and marketing.
