Spanish Poultry Breeders Protest Importation of Moroccan Poultry

Rabat – Spanish poultry breeders recently protested what they described as the “unnecessary” import of Moroccan chickens which put them in a “critical situation” amid a “brutal” increase in production costs.

The breeders urged the Spanish government to issue “powerful and effective support measures” to prevent the bankruptcy of the country’s entire poultry sector.

On June 29, the Spanish Trade Commission gave Morocco the green light to export poultry products to EU member states.

Spain’s Coordination of Farmers and Ranchers Organizations (COAG) and Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA) condemned the commission’s decision, citing that breeders are facing financial difficulties keeping up with the surge in food and energy prices.

“This situation can be aggravated by this increase in imports from third countries, which do not comply with the demanding regulations and high standards in terms of biosafety, quality, and animal welfare in the EU,” said Eloy Urena in charge of the poultry sector within COAG.

UPA also warned of organizing protests “if the price at origin is not raised,” adding that breeders receive €0.15 – less than 5% – from the €3.25 paid by customers per one kilo of chicken.

Poultry prices have surged over the past six months while their “ridiculous and totally insufficient” revenues “have not stopped falling,” UPA noted, adding that this “unsustainable” situation is downsizing the breeders’ profit margin to the point of “jeopardizing” the chicken supply for next fall.

“Every day it is more difficult to pay debts,” the union added. “If things don’t change, it will be very difficult to survive.”

Meanwhile, Moroccan poultry breeders echoed the same concerns raised by their Spanish peers. Earlier this week, Morocco’s Association of Poultry Breeders warned of a “real disaster” in the sector amid rising production costs, calling upon the government to allow breeders to determine the selling prices.

Said Jennah, the president of the association, further explained that the high prices of feed and “rumor of poor production of chicks,” have made the cost of chicken production reach MAD 16 ($1.58).