Morocco’s Food Safety Agency approves meat imports amid drought recovery

MOROCCO – Morocco’s food safety authority, ONSA, has granted approval for the import of frozen and refrigerated sheep and beef meat from 45 countries. 

The decision comes as the country faces the aftermath of a prolonged drought that has significantly reduced local cattle numbers.

The approved imports include sheep and goat meat from the European Union, Andorra, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay. 

In addition, beef meat imports are authorized from all these regions as well as Brazil and Ukraine, according to ONSA.

The reduction in Morocco’s cattle population has been driven by the extended dry spell and the sharp increase in the price of animal feed, leading many farmers to either reduce or abandon livestock farming. 

In response to this, the government had already allowed the importation of live sheep and cattle last year to stabilize prices in the local market.

Food prices remain a key driver of inflation in the country, with the meat sector facing ongoing challenges. 

However, signs of improvement have emerged, particularly in the poultry market, where prices have seen a significant decline.

Earlier this month, poultry prices in Morocco fell sharply, signaling an easing of the cost-of-living crisis that had been weighing heavily on consumers. 

According to breeders and producers, the price of chicken has stabilized at around 19 dirhams (US$1.93) per kilogram in local markets, with wholesale prices dropping to 16 dirhams per kilogram by the end of September.

The decrease in poultry prices has been linked to lower demand and the restoration of balance in the market. 

However, concerns about potential market manipulation persist. 

Earlier in the year, the country experienced a spike in poultry prices, with prices reaching a record 30 dirhams (US$3.06) per kilogram in August. 

Producers attributed this surge to increased demand, driven by the high cost of red meat and the return of Moroccan expatriates during the summer months.

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