Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

The market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Morocco showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2020. Starting at 70 993 t in 2018, the volume benefited from a near-tripling of import values that year, reflecting strong domestic demand and a structural gap between local production and national needs. Public support through the Agricultural Development Fund and the 2015‑2020 contract‑programme also contributed to expanding cultivated area and output. However, the market contracted to 67 948 t in 2019 despite ongoing investments under the Green Morocco Plan aimed at irrigation and mechanization. A sharp rebound followed in 2020, with the market surging to 96 493 t. This growth coincided with the launch of a new interprofessional contract‑programme for 2020‑2025, which allocated 134 million dirhams in public funding to increase processing capacity and modernize transformation facilities in the Gharb‑Loukkos region.

Between 2021 and 2023, market dynamics were heavily shaped by climatic conditions and trade policy adjustments. In 2021, the market shrank to 72 651 t as a good local harvest, estimated at 71 000 t and covering 75% of national consumption, reduced the need for imports. International factors such as rising raw material prices and COVID‑19‑related supply chain disruptions also influenced production costs and consumer prices. The following year, the market grew to 79 089 t after the government suspended customs duties and VAT on cargo rice imports to compensate for a reported 90% drop in local production, making imported rice more accessible and securing supply. In 2023, the market expanded dramatically to 111 449 t. A 33% reduction in cereal‑sown area due to scarce rainfall heightened reliance on imports, while the entry of new retail players like Kazyon Maroc diversified distribution channels and likely stimulated demand.

Throughout the period, regulatory measures played a key role in directing market flows. In 2022, retail price caps for imported white rice were introduced to protect consumers from volatility, a measure reaffirmed by decree in early 2024. The suspension of duties and VAT on cargo rice was extended into 2024 via the Finance Law, permanently exempting these imports to ensure supply amid low local output. Additionally, updated food‑labeling regulations aligned with European standards came into effect, enhancing traceability requirements for semi‑milled and wholly milled rice. The expansion of retail distribution, including the rise of e‑commerce platforms for local brands, further diversified market access in the latter years.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

Morocco's production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 32 700 tonnes, marking a 1.5% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

The export market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 49-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Morocco exported 119 tonnes, representing a sharp decrease of 78.5% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 556 tonnes, while the largest percentage increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 2 416.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Niger, Libya, and Gambia were the leading destinations for Morocco's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in volume terms. Niger accounted for 40.1% of exports, Libya for 26.0%, and Gambia for 14.8%. Together, these three countries represented 80.8% 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 export market in value terms exhibited volatility over the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 12.5-fold gap between these years. In 2020, the value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports from Morocco was 81 thousand US dollars, showing an abrupt drop of 64.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 271 thousand US dollars, and the largest percentage increase also occurred in 2018, with a rise of 1 151.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Libya, Niger, and Spain—collectively absorbed 80.1% of the total export value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Morocco.

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

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

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

The import market in volume terms was characterized by volatility during these years. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 5.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Morocco imported 63 912 tonnes of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, which is 76.2% higher than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 9.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 257.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, India, and Pakistan were the principal suppliers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Morocco in volume terms. Thailand accounted for 42.7% of imports, India for 24.3%, and Pakistan for 10.8%. Together, these three countries made up 77.8% of total import volumes.

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

Market performance in import value terms showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 5.6-fold variation between these years. In 2020, the value of Morocco's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice was 34 023 thousand US dollars, indicating a 74.1% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 7.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 249.9%.

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 leading sources in the country structure of imports in value terms. Thailand accounted for 43.3% of import value, India for 23.7%, and the United States for 10.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 78.0% 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