Successive warning bulletins in Morocco forecast a hot summer marked by recurrent and prolonged heatwaves. Temperatures have already reached 45 degrees in some regions at the beginning of the summer, raising concerns about a repeat of the 2023 summer, which was particularly challenging for early vegetable growers in the Souss-Massa region.
© Universal Peppers
Agadir-based peppers producer Obeida Mansour reports that the situation is under control, but he is already apprehensive about August. He says, "The heat waves we experienced in July had no consequences given the timing of our operations. Last season ended on June 25, and we started planting on July 5 in preparation for the winter season. The plants are not yet grown enough to be affected by the heat. But we're already looking forward to August. We're hoping for the best, because after all, climatic risk has become a year-round issue."
According to Mansour, pepper growers can mitigate the risks of heat waves, provided they don't reach extreme levels like those in August 2023. To recall, the Souss Massa region recorded an absolute record of 50.4 degrees Celsius, and the heatwave lasted three consecutive days, scorching crops and causing a shortage of seeds, resulting in a month's delay in relaunching the campaign.
© Universal Peppers
"We still use Canarian greenhouses, and all we have to do is control the height of the greenhouses to mitigate the impact of the heat. For the rest, we can only hope that the weather will be clement. The risk is highest between August 10 and August 28, when peppers are harvested in the region for the next cycle," he continues.
Moroccan pepper growers enjoyed a campaign of high demand last season and good prices at certain times of the season, although adverse weather caused a drop in yields. Mansour concludes, "At Universal Peppers, we have introduced mini snacking and bell pepper varieties that enjoy high demand in Europe, adding to our usual kapi production."
For more information:
Obeida Mansour
Universal Peppers
Tel: +212663612461
Email: [email protected]
