Rice market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Morocco's rice market volume grew from 105 thousand tons to 131 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by the state-led Plan Maroc Vert, which increased cultivated area in the Gharb and Loukkos plains, funded land development, and saw six processing plants installed, raising domestic production. At the same time, rising consumption and massive imports of Asian rice, which tripled in volume in 2018, sustained market supply, even as competition from cheaper Egyptian rice under the Agadir agreement affected trade flows.

The market contracted to 98 thousand tons in 2021, as the Plan Maroc Vert's requirement to leave 1,600 hectares fallow for land leveling reduced harvestable area, curbing production. Concurrently, maritime transport disruptions during the pandemic raised the cost of imported rice, tempering import volumes. In 2022, the number of rice importers soared from just 5 operators in 2016 to 115, greatly facilitating import channels. A persistent drought that hampered local output prompted authorities to increase imports to stabilize prices, helping the market recover to 106 thousand tons despite lower domestic production.

By 2023, the market surged to 142 thousand tons. Import volumes continued to climb, partly in response to India's ban on certain rice exports that year, which intensified global supply tensions. Domestic production also rebounded from the prior year's drought, contributing to the overall market growth.

Production rice in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Morocco's rice production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 65 700 tons of rice, representing a slight rise of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 13.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.4%.

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

Exports rice from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

Rice exports from Morocco have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Morocco exported 577 tons of rice, reflecting a modest year-over-year increase of 3.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 4 194.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 250.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Niger, and Libya formed the main cluster of markets for Morocco's rice exports in kind. The United Kingdom accounted for 31.9% of exports, Niger for 27.2%, and Libya for 17.6%, with these three countries together representing 76.6% of total export flows.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. From the low in 2017 to the high in 2020, export volumes varied by a factor of 14.4. In 2020, rice shipments from Morocco abroad stood at 354 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp rise of 53.7% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 1 009.1%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 15.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Libya, and Niger were the main destinations for Morocco's rice exports in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 30.6% of exports, Libya for 27.2%, and Niger for 16.6%, with these three countries together absorbing 74.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports rice to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import levels fluctuated by a factor of 5.1 between the low in 2017 and the high in 2020. In 2020, cross-border shipments of rice to Morocco came to 66 310 tons, which is 72.1% higher year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 222.9%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Thailand, India, and Pakistan—together accounted for 74.2% of total rice imports in kind to Morocco.

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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import levels fluctuated by a factor of 4.7 between the low in 2017 and the high in 2020. In 2020, rice deliveries to Morocco totaled 36 420 thousand US dollars, marking an increase of 66.8% year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 197.6%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 5.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Thailand, India, and the United States were the main sources for Morocco's rice imports in value terms. Thailand accounted for 39.6% of imports, India for 21.7%, and the United States for 10.2%, with these three countries together absorbing 71.4% of total import value.

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

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