Agadir, April 13, 2026 — The Europe Today: Morocco has been selected as one of the priority countries under the United States’ “Food for Progress” Program 2026, a major initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and expanding agricultural trade in emerging economies.
According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, the program seeks to support agricultural development while simultaneously creating new commercial opportunities for US agricultural products in international markets.
For fiscal year 2026, the initiative is expected to allocate up to $226 million in new cooperative agreements. These funds will finance five-year development projects, with individual project budgets typically ranging between $28 million and $35 million, as outlined in official USDA documentation.
Morocco joins a group of selected priority countries that includes Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The program focuses on two core objectives: improving agricultural productivity in developing and emerging economies, and expanding trade in agricultural goods within those markets. It also aims to strengthen competitiveness in partner countries’ agricultural sectors while promoting private sector engagement and innovation.
Operating through a trade-linked development model, the program purchases bulk agricultural commodities from US producers, exports them to partner countries, and utilizes the generated revenue to fund development projects in agriculture, infrastructure, and broader economic capacity building.
Morocco’s inclusion reflects its sustained efforts to modernize and expand its agricultural sector. A recent report by the International Monetary Fund projects that Morocco’s economy will grow by approximately 4.4% in 2026, largely driven by improved agricultural output.
The country also holds a significant position in global fertilizer markets, particularly through the OCP Group, which is among the world’s leading producers of phosphate and phosphate-based products. With an estimated 70% share of global phosphate reserves, OCP has played a pivotal role in establishing Morocco as a global fertilizer powerhouse.
Despite ongoing global trade disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions, including conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, OCP continues to expand its international footprint. Last month, the company shipped approximately 90,000 tons of phosphate fertilizers to Latin America.
Reflecting strong market performance, OCP reported a 17% increase in revenues in 2025, reaching MAD 114 billion ($11.4 billion), driven by sustained global demand and improved market conditions.
Morocco’s participation in the Food for Progress Program is expected to further accelerate agricultural innovation, strengthen trade ties, and enhance the country’s role in global food security and supply chains.
