IMPACTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON AGRICULTURE, FOOD PRICES, AND FOOD SECURITY IN MOROCCO

Abstract

With the global health crisis related to the new coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19), the thorny issue of food security has arisen with force, especially with shortages of certain products on the markets, soaring prices, and sometimes even stock-outs. The covid-19 pandemic has led to a global economic crisis that has called into question the stability ensuring global food security.

So, the present paper aims to analyze and discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on agriculture, food supply, and food security in Morocco. Toward this end, data provided by the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Health Organization (WHO) have been analyzed, as well as studies conducted and published on the subject.

The findings indicate that the Covid 19 pandemic has ensued several negative effects, which have directly and indirectly threatened Moroccan food security. It severely affected the agricultural sector which contributes significantly to GDP, due to suspension of agricultural activities, restriction of trade in agricultural commodities, and agricultural labor.  Also, It has primarily affected food imports due to the dependence on food importation and has impacted food supply chains, as the shutdown and closing of some stores severely disrupted the supply chain (transportation, storage, and distribution), resulting in food insufficiency in many far areas.

Globally, food security in Morocco has demonstrated its resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic, due to the agricultural strategy put in place, the market was regularly supplied and the availability of products was ensured in all the cities of the Kingdom. Finally, based on the findings, we have suggested some recommendations that would help boost sustainable food security.