• Morocco selected under $226 million USDA program for 2026

• Initiative blends farm support with expansion of U.S. exports

• Could back irrigation and climate-resilient agriculture after years of drought

Morocco has been named one of seven priority countries under the U.S. “Food for Progress” program for fiscal year 2026, a $226 million initiative that blends development support with trade objectives.

Run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Foreign Agricultural Service, the program also targets Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Rather than a traditional aid model, the program works by selling U.S. agricultural commodities in partner countries and reinvesting the proceeds locally. The funds are used to support farming systems, improve infrastructure, and strengthen agricultural value chains, while also creating demand for U.S. exports.

Each country program is expected to run for five years, with funding ranging from $28 million to $35 million.

In Morocco, the exact focus areas have not yet been defined. But the country’s agricultural sector is under pressure after seven straight years of drought, with challenges around productivity, water management, and supply chain resilience. The program could support areas such as irrigation, climate-adapted farming, and better access to markets.

For Washington, Morocco also represents a growing outlet for agricultural exports. The country ranks as Africa’s third-largest food importer, behind Egypt and Algeria. According to UNCTAD, it imported an average of $8.7 billion in food annually between 2021 and 2023.

The initiative reflects a broader strategy that ties development efforts more closely to trade expansion, especially in markets with rising food demand.

Stéphanas Assocle