Aromatic plants: Drought causes an entire section of biodiversity to disappear
The structural drought that has been affecting Morocco for several years is dealing a severe blow to a discreet but strategic sector: the aromatic and medicinal plant (AMP) sector. While less publicized than major crops, this sector is nevertheless suffering worrying losses, both in volume and plant diversity, ultimately threatening a unique botanical heritage and a value-generating activity.
From 140,000 to 100,000 tons in less than 2 years
According to updated data from 2024, annual national production was still around 140,000 tons. In less than two years, this volume has fallen below 100,000 tons, a drop of approximately 30%, mainly due to the collapse of water resources. In some areas, such as the eastern region, rosemary cultivation has been reduced by a factor of four in just two growing seasons.
At the same time, several local species, such as oak moss, common ivy, and certain endemic thymes, have completely disappeared from the market. This decline is not only linked to climatic drought, but also to the scarcity of surface water and the dramatic drop in water tables.
In Rabat, for example, it is now necessary to drill up to 100 meters to access water, compared to 60 meters a few years ago. The direct consequence is a surge in prices.
Mint prices have tripled , verbena has increased by 150%, and rose prices have increased by between 40 and 50% depending on the area and the season. Local markets are under pressure, and industrial operators are reviewing their supplies downwards or deferring them.
Export volumes are crumbling
Internationally, Morocco, the world’s 12th largest exporter of raw materials, is seeing its volumes decline. Export prices increased by an average of 30% between 2023 and 2025, while suppliers, faced with irregular supply, are now favoring long-standing customers seeking continuity over new markets.
This crisis affects many invisible jobs. Every year, harvesting mobilizes a massive amount of rural labor, particularly in mountainous areas. These informal activities provide a vital supplement to many families’ income. They are also linked to traditional know-how of processing, distillation, drying, maceration, which risks being lost.
The paradox is this: Morocco has one of the richest biodiversities in the Mediterranean basin, with 4,200 recorded plant species, including 800 endemic and around 400 for medicinal or aromatic uses. However, due to a lack of appropriate technical and hydraulic supervision, this potential is eroding. Initiatives have certainly been launched to structure the sector, supporting cooperatives, local development, and ethnobotanical research, but their scope remains limited in the face of the climate crisis. Without a solid adaptation plan, combining reforestation, water management, and ecosystem protection, the PAM sector could ultimately become marginal, or even residual, in certain areas of the kingdom.
A.Bo
