Morocco struggles to fill farm jobs despite high unemployment

Moroccan farmers are grappling with a persistent labor shortage, even as the country faces a 13% unemployment rate, local media reports.

“Labor scarcity has become a structural problem affecting all regions of Morocco and reducing profitability across multiple sectors,” said Othmane Michbal, deputy general manager of Domaines Zniber, an agricultural company told Hortidaily.

Many farms depend on seasonal labor but a growing number of Moroccan workers are choosing to work in Europe, instead where pay is higher and housing is often provided. Each year, an estimated 12,000 Moroccans travel to Spain for jobs in strawberry harvesting.

Experts say it has become increasingly difficult for farmers to find labor ever since the introduction of direct social aid in 2021.

“More and more workers are refusing to be registered with the CNSS (social security for the private sector) in order to continue to benefit from direct assistance” said Younes Yazzouki, human resources director at Station Kabbage Souss, a food exporter.

Some Moroccan farmers are now having to hire workers from up to 150 kilometers away, driving up costs due to transport and accommodation challenges.

Agricultural experts argue the shortage could be eased if regulations were relaxed to allow growers to build temporary housing for seasonal laborers—currently prohibited under Moroccan law. They also suggest permitting temporary hires from other African nations as a potential solution.