Farming context: Morocco
Morocco fertilizer estimates use the selected crop, field, soil and product assumptions from the MA agriculture dataset. Check local conditions before applying national averages.
| Agriculture share of GDP | ~12% |
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| Arable land | 8,700,000 ha |
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| Irrigated share | ~15% |
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| Main food crops | wheat, barley, maize, potato, sugar cane |
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| Main export crops | citrus, olive, tomato, dates, argan |
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Country context from the AfroTools agriculture dataset - planning reference, not agronomic advice. Confirm with local extension services.
Fertilizer Use in Morocco
Morocco is one of Africa's most significant agricultural economies and uniquely positioned in the fertilizer market as home to OCP Group (Office Cherifien des Phosphates), the world's largest phosphate exporter. The country is also Africa's largest fertilizer producer and a major exporter to the rest of the continent and globally. Morocco's own agricultural sector consumes approximately 800,000 to 1 million tonnes of fertilizer annually, driven by intensive cereals (wheat, barley), citrus, olives, vegetables, and sugarcane production. The Plan Maroc Vert (Green Morocco Plan) and its successor Generation Green 2020-2030 have transformed Moroccan agriculture through irrigation expansion, value chain development, and improved input use. The diverse agroecological zones, from the Atlantic coastal plains to the Atlas Mountain valleys and the pre-Saharan south, support varied cropping systems.
Common Fertilizer Types
DAP (18-46-0) and MAP (11-52-0) are the most consumed phosphate fertilizers in Morocco, reflecting OCP's domestic availability and the country's phosphorus-responsive calcareous soils. Ammonium nitrate (33.5% N) is the standard nitrogen fertilizer for cereals, used extensively on wheat and barley across the Gharb, Saiss, Doukkala, and Chaouia plains. Urea is used in irrigated areas, particularly for sugarcane in the Gharb and Tadla regions. NPK compound fertilizers are important for horticulture, citrus orchards, and olive groves. Potassium sulfate is preferred for citrus and vegetable production on the calcareous soils that dominate much of Morocco. TSP (triple superphosphate) is widely available as a domestic product. OCP's customized fertilizer program has introduced soil-specific blends for different Moroccan regions, including micronutrient-enriched formulations addressing zinc and boron deficiencies identified through national soil surveys.
Subsidy Programs & Access
Morocco provides targeted agricultural input support through the Plan Generation Green and its institutional framework. Fertilizer subsidies are implicit rather than direct price subsidies. OCP provides fertilizer to Moroccan farmers through its network at favorable prices compared to export parity, effectively creating a domestic price advantage. The Credit Agricole du Maroc provides seasonal loans for input purchases, including fertilizer, at subsidized interest rates. Small-scale farmers in disadvantaged areas receive additional support through the Agricultural Development Fund (FDA), which can cover up to 80% of investment costs for agricultural improvement. The National Office of Agricultural Extension (ONCA) provides free soil testing and fertilizer advisory services to farmers. Cooperatives (particularly cereal cooperatives in the major producing regions) negotiate group purchases of fertilizer at volume discounts. Moroccan agriculture has benefited enormously from the proximity to OCP's production facilities, with fertilizer availability and diversity being among the best on the African continent.