Plizio Visual Lab

Gharb Plain

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Agriculture

Weather…

The Gharb Plain in northwestern Morocco is one of the country's most fertile alluvial regions and a hub of modern industrial agriculture. Formed by the Sebou river, the plain gives deep, mineral-rich soils and favorable climatic conditions for intensive cultivation. The Gharb is internationally famous for its citrus fruits, with oranges, mandarins, and lemons produced in vast plantations primarily for export to European and North American markets. Beyond fruit, the region is a major producer of rice, sugarcane, and cereals. The area surrounding Kenitra and Sidi Kacem has seen massive investments in dams and irrigation canals over recent decades to tame the flood risks of the Sebou and ensure year-round water supply for the fields. This high agricultural productivity makes the Gharb a driving force behind Morocco's export economy, supporting thousands of jobs in both primary production and the food processing industry.

Location: Morocco
Nearby: Sidi Kacem (41 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Oct.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	13	14	15	17	21	24	26	27	24	22	17	14
Rain mm	69	57	64	44	21	3	1	2	19	61	98	74

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Gharb Plain is the main citrus-growing area in Morocco, supplying both domestic and international markets. It plays a central role in Moroccan agriculture and the regional economy.

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Visiting

The Gharb Plain is an open agricultural landscape freely accessible from public roads. Visitors can explore the endless citrus orchards and irrigation canals along the rural roads.

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Where to view it

An excellent viewpoint is the hill of Sidi Allal Tazi, from which the entire plain with its regularly laid out plantations can be surveyed. The bridge over the Oued Sebou also has a wide view over the cultivation area.

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Local products

In the Gharb Plain, local markets primarily offer fresh oranges, tangerines and lemons. In season, fresh olives and figs from surrounding farms are also available.

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Active season

The citrus harvest season runs from November to May, with the peak in January and February. During this time, the entire plain is buzzing with harvesting and loading activity.

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Nearby

A visit to the Gharb Plain can be combined with the city of Kenitra, which has a river port and a nice old town. The coastal town of Mehdia with its beach and lagoon is also worth a trip.

Geography

Coordinates

34.50000, -6.00000

Facts

The Gharb Plain covers an extensive area of approximately 600,000 hectares.
The Sebou River, with its high water volume, is the vital lifeline of the region.
Almost all of Morocco's rice production is concentrated within the Gharb Plain.
The region is the leading national producer of sugarcane.
Modern drainage systems are used to prevent soil salinization in the valuable farmlands.
More than 60% of Morocco's total citrus exports originate from the Gharb plantations.