Rabat – The Moroccan government has temporarily suspended its support program for ovine imports, a move that could lead to higher meat prices in the kingdom.
A source at the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fishing, Rural Development, Water and Forests, informed SNRTnews of the suspension in late December, stating that a new program with revised criteria is being developed and will be launched in the coming weeks.
The current support program provides financial assistance to importers of sheep and goats. The government implemented the program in an effort to stabilize meat prices, particularly during the important Eid al-Adha holiday period.
Industry professionals say that the program has been successful in achieving its goals, and that any interruption in support could have a negative impact on prices.
Data from the Office des Changes shows that Moroccan imports of live animals have surged in recent months, reaching 2.64 billion dirhams at the end of November 2023. This is a significant increase from 534 million dirhams during the same period in 2022.
The rise in imports is due in part to the government’s support program, which has made it more profitable for importers to bring live animals into the country.
The temporary halt in support is likely to lead to a decrease in ovine imports, which could put upward pressure on meat prices. Industry insiders predict that the price could increase by 15 to 20 dirhams per kilogram following the cessation of support measures.
The government’s decision to suspend the support program has been met with mixed reactions.
Read also: Morocco’s Imports of Cattle, Sheep Reach 32,000 Heads Since February
Some industry professionals support the move, arguing that it is necessary to protect the domestic livestock industry. Others argue that the suspension will harm consumers by leading to higher meat prices.
Although Morocco’s livestock sector comprises a substantial herd, totaling over 31 million heads, including 21.6 million sheep, 6.1 million goats, 3.3 million cattle, and 183,000 camels, It remains to be seen what the long-term impact of the temporary halt in support will be.
However, it is clear that the decision has the potential to disrupt the Moroccan meat market and lead to higher prices for consumers.
