Morocco’s livestock imports have seen a remarkable fivefold increase, according to data from the Exchange Office’s monthly report.
In the initial seven months of this year, imports soared to MAD 1.58 billion, a sharp contrast to the MAD 311 million recorded during the same period last year.
This surge is a direct response to the country’s strategy to facilitate the import of sheep and cattle, driven by the need to curb soaring meat prices.
The volume of live animal imports has also seen a significant boost, exceeding 35,000 tons, compared to just 5,000 tons imported in the first seven months of the previous year.
The spike in livestock imports comes as Morocco grapples with challenges like drought, pasture shortages, and escalating feed costs, which have severely impacted its domestic herd.
To address the issue of rising meat prices, Morocco has actively imported cattle from countries including Brazil, France, and Spain. The government has provided financial incentives of up to MAD 500 per imported sheep to stabilize prices.