Milk and cream market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the milk and cream market in Morocco remained stable at around 3.76 million tons from 2018 to 2020, peaking at 3.78 million tons in 2020. This stability was underpinned by the launch of the national 2015-2020 dairy program, which stimulated investment in processing plants and introduced subsidies for dairy cattle feed. Genetic improvement programs boosted herd productivity, while the strengthening of the professional federation Maroc Lait enhanced sector coordination. Even the COVID-19 pandemic and drought in 2020 did not immediately disrupt supply, partly due to signed investment agreements for expanding processing capacity.

From 2021, the market entered a sharp contraction phase, with volume dropping to 3.73 million tons in 2021 and then to 2.99 million tons in 2022. This shift was driven by a combination of external shocks: an 88% surge in livestock feed prices, the impact of the war in Ukraine which escalated transport and packaging costs, and a prolonged drought that reduced fodder availability. Milk production fell by 11% in 2022, and the dairy cattle herd shrank by 5%, directly curbing supply.

In 2023, market volume continued to decline, reaching 2.85 million tons, although the value rose to $2.74 billion due to higher prices. Authorities responded with support measures, including multiple waves of feed subsidies, a decision to subsidize milk powder imports to stabilize local prices, and a large-scale import of dairy heifers to rebuild the herd. New regulations on milk packaging and labeling also came into effect, modifying market requirements.

Production milk and cream in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Morocco's milk and cream production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 774 thousand tons, showing no significant change compared to 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Milk and cream production in Morocco declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 3 145 million US dollars, marking a slight drop of 0.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 33.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Morocco in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports milk and cream from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

Morocco's milk and cream export volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 291 tons, representing a dramatic gain of 35.5% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 72.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritania was the principal market for milk and cream from Morocco, accounting for 84.1% of total exports in kind, while other destinations formed a less significant portion.

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

After a two-year decline, Morocco's milk and cream exports increased in value. In 2020, exports totaled 1 076 thousand US dollars, marking a steep increase of 34.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 14.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 803 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 8.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritania remained the main market for exports in value terms, with a share of 77.2% of total flows, while the rest was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Morocco's milk and cream imports declined. In 2020, Morocco imported 2 461 tons, corresponding to a strong fall of 22.4% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 172 tons, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 27.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France acted as the main source for milk and cream imports to Morocco, consistently absorbing 96.9% of total imports in kind.

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

After a two-year advance, Morocco's milk and cream imports declined in value. In 2020, imports came to 5 365 thousand US dollars, indicating a decline of 27.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 402 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 37.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of milk and cream to Morocco were highly concentrated on France, which accounted for 96.2% of total flows.

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

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