Beef, sheep or goat fat market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Morocco's market for beef, sheep, and goat fat was initially supported by a government program to strengthen the agri-food sector's integration and rising quality certifications, which underpinned production. The market volume then contracted by 19.5% in 2020, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting supply chains for imported feed ingredients, which reduced imports and overall availability.

A sharp recovery followed in 2021, with market volume surging 36% as imports rebounded and state support for the red meat sector continued through program contracts. However, in 2022, the market collapsed by 61% after authorities imposed a ban on slaughtering female sheep and goats to preserve the national herd, severely curtailing domestic fat production. Simultaneously, imports of these fats ceased entirely, while investments like Mitsui's stake in animal nutrition leader Zalar Holding and new regional slaughterhouses aimed at long-term sector resilience.

The market stabilized around 10 900 t in 2023 as the female livestock slaughter ban remained in effect, limiting production growth despite the opening of red meat imports to compensate for local shortages. Ongoing investments in local animal feed production and new slaughterhouse capacity, including a 30 000 t per year facility in Rabat, are focused on strengthening the underlying livestock sector, though their direct impact on fat supply remains moderated by the persistent regulatory restrictions.

Production beef, sheep or goat fat in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

Morocco's production of beef, sheep, or goat fat declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output reached 11 936 tonnes, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.4%, averaging an annual increase of 0.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 11 974 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef, sheep or goat fat from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco's exports of beef, sheep, or goat fat were almost entirely directed to Cameroon, which accounted for 100.0% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Morocco in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Morocco in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017–2020, Cameroon was the sole destination for Morocco's exports of beef, sheep, or goat fat in value terms, representing 100.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Morocco in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef, sheep or goat fat to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Morocco imported 8 200 tonnes of beef, sheep, or goat fat, a decline of 37.2% compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 13 749 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase also occurred in 2018 at 110.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Morocco's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat in volume terms, consistently making up 99.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Morocco in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Imports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Morocco imported 6 955 thousand US dollars worth of beef, sheep, or goat fat, a sharp decrease of 32.8% from the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 11 420 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-on-year increase also took place in 2018 at 82.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Morocco in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat in value terms were highly concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 99.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Morocco in value, 2017-2020