Crop Stress Increases in Morocco, Algeria

WASHINGTON - Mar 5/02 - STAT -- Extremely dry weather during January and February have increased the stress on winter crops growing in Morocco and Algeria, suggesting yields will be lower than hoped and imports of a wide range of agricultural commodities will end up being greater than initially expected.

Morocco received light rainfall over the past weekend, but the country has had little rainfall since the heavy, late-arriving planting rains ended around January 1st. During January, rainfall was less than 10% of normal, while northern and central Morocco received only one third of normal February precipitation.

The situation was similar in Algeria. During January, the wettest areas in eastern Algeria and adjacent areas of western Tunisia received less than half their normal rainfall. February saw some improvement as Western Algeria received 25% of its normal February precipitation, central Algeria received 75% and eastern Algeria was actually slightly above average for the month.

Commenting on the current situation, the USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service said, "Timely, occasional rain is needed in order to reverse the recent drying trend, as well as the long-term drought which has persisted for several years. The critical reproduction period for Northwest Africa's winter wheat, the time in which it demands substantial moisture, occurs during March and April. Given the current lack of sufficient soil moisture, occasional spring rains will be critical for the continued development of the crop."

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