Moroccan edible oil output increased 120 percent in 2003-2004

Edible oil output of the 2003-2004 season reached one million tons in Morocco, which is a 120 percent increased compared to the previous season and 98 percent compared to the average production of the past five years, a press release of the agriculture ministry said.

Edible oil production included 100,000 tons of olive oil, 120,000 tons of edible oil, both increasing by 120 percent and 50 pc, respectively.

The increase in edible oil production is ascribed to good weather conditions in the main oil growing zones, particularly in the Haouz, Tadla, Taza regions and to a lesser extent in Taounate, Chefchaouen and the east of the country. Edible oil farming areas reached 580,000 hectares in 2003-2004 compared to 570,000 hectares the previous year. The government extended substantial assistance to farmers through development programmes, especially the plantation of non irrigated areas.