Since the introduction of Morocco’s Green Plan in 2008, the price of aromatic roses in the kingdom has increased. The Green Plan is an initiative introduced by his Majesty King Mohammed VI with the goal of supporting modern agriculture and improving the living conditions of small farmers. Farmers working in the aromatic rose industry have especially seen the benefits of the initiative. In 2018, aromatic roses were reported to cost 25 dirhams ($2.50) per kilogram as opposed to 7 dirhams (US 70 cents) per kilogram, prior to the initiative.
Additionally, rose production has increased exponentially. Over the past 3 years, 3,350 tonnes of roses were recorded. As a comparison, rose production was at 2,500 tonnes in 2007.
After Bulgaria and Turkey, Morocco is third in rose production.
Since 2008, The Ministry of Agriculture has invested $207 million in expanding and protecting the areas for growing aromatic roses. To date, nearly 880 hectares of Morocco’s southern Kingdom throughout Ouarzazate, Zakoura, and Tinghir are dedicated to aromatic rose production. After Bulgaria and Turkey, Morocco is third in rose production.
Each year, the Kalaat M’Gouna region holds an International Rose Festival, which encourages tourism and contributes to the region’s growth. The region is also home to three industrial transformation units, 18 local traditional facilities, and 15 distillation units; the distillation of over 1,000 tonnes of fresh roses has been recorded by rose industry researchers.
Since 2008, a $6.7 million investment on behalf of the Moroccan government for the rose production chain has been estimated.