News » 04.07.2025 - Due to drought, several medicinal and aromatic plants are disappearing from the Moroccan market
The prices of many medicinal and aromatic plants have skyrocketed in Morocco, while several others are virtually impossible to find on the market, disrupting supplies to industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food processing. Karim Belkhir Goutr, CEO of 4 Seasons Mediterranean Aromas, says, "This is a situation I have never seen in three decades in this business."
Dead rosemary field
While persistent drought has been a reality for seven consecutive years, it is only recently that it has become acute for aromatic and medicinal plants. Belkhir explains: "The water table has been depleted, which has had a significant impact on wild plants and is now affecting irrigated production. There have been no plans to expand cultivated areas recently; on the contrary, we are seeing a reduction in water quotas reserved for agriculture in order to ensure water supply for the population, as is the case in the Rabat region."
It is difficult to quantify the loss of surface area or volume for plants, especially those grown in the wild, but the examples are striking: "Estimates can be made based on the harvesting parcels awarded by the National Agency for Water and Forests. A recent market in the eastern region awarded only 3 plots of rosemary out of the usual 13. Moroccan harvests of wild rosemary usually reach 10-11 thousand tonnes, but now we can't find it on the market."
As a result, the prices of several plants essential for local consumption are skyrocketing. Belkhir says: "The farm gate price of mint has increased by 200%, verbena by 150%, and rose by 40-50%. The increases are widespread and affect all products."
Other plants are now nowhere to be found on the market, according to Belkhir: "We can't find plants such as oakmoss and common ivy for our customers in the distillation sector for pharmaceutical or cosmetic use. This is also problematic for these manufacturers since Morocco has been a major and reliable source of these plants until now."
The recent rains in March were a relief, but insufficient according to Belkhir. He adds, "These rains will certainly recharge the water table to a certain extent, but many plants need a humid environment, and especially snow. There has been virtually no snow in the mountains in recent years."
The shortfall in production has also led to a decline in export volumes, coupled with an increase in prices. Belkhir concludes, "We must now limit the number of customers we deliver to, prioritizing long-standing professional relationships and a balanced supply by region. We continue to serve manufacturers in India, China, and Europe, as well as processing companies in the Maghreb and West Africa. Our export prices have increased by an average of 30% between 2023 and 2025."
Source: www.floraldaily.com
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