Sheep and goat meat market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Moroccan sheep and goat meat market remained stable at approximately 420,000 tonnes annually. This consistency was underpinned by protective customs duties of around 200% on live animals and fresh or frozen meat, which shielded domestic producers and promoted self-sufficiency. Although cumulative inflation of about 17% began eroding consumer purchasing power from 2021, reducing demand for income-elastic products like red meat, the market volume held firm that year.

A significant contraction followed in 2022, with the market size dropping to 381,000 tonnes, a 9% decrease. This decline largely manifested the impact of diminished consumer affordability due to the preceding inflation. A modest recovery to 383,000 tonnes occurred in 2023. Facing a severe drought in 2024 that directly pressured the national herd, Moroccan authorities implemented measures to stabilize the market, including authorizing imports of red meat from the EU, US, and Australia, setting import quotas, and providing subsidies to importers.

Production sheep and goat meat in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Morocco ranked as the 16th largest producer of sheep and goat meat between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Morocco's sheep and goat meat production volume experienced a decline. In 2020, production reached 420.0 K t, showing little change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 0.9%. The peak production level was recorded in 2019 at 421.8 K t, with the most significant year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 2.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of expansion, the value of Morocco's sheep and goat meat production decreased. In 2020, production was valued at 2 954 M $ US, representing a 10.2% drop compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the overall value increased by 23.2%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. The highest value was achieved in 2019 at 3 291 M $ US, with the largest annual increase also recorded that year at 21.1%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Morocco

Exports in kind, kg

Export volumes displayed considerable volatility throughout the period. After reaching a high in 2018 and a low in 2019, exports fluctuated by a factor of 45. In 2020, Morocco's sheep and goat meat exports amounted to 668 kg, marking a substantial 70.9% increase from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 391 kg, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 17 442 kg. The most dramatic decline took place in 2019 with a 97.8% drop, whereas the largest surge was observed in 2018 with a 449.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, France and Oman collectively represented 18.2% of Morocco's total sheep and goat meat exports by volume, establishing them as the primary markets for these products.

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

Export values demonstrated significant volatility during the observed timeframe. After peaking in 2018 and hitting a low in 2019, values varied by a factor of 37. In 2020, Morocco exported sheep and goat meat worth 4.7 K $ US, reflecting a 54.1% increase year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3.0 K $ US, while the maximum was achieved in 2018 at 112.9 K $ US. The most pronounced decline occurred in 2019 with a 97.3% decrease, and the sharpest increase was in 2018 with a 507.6% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Oman remained the leading buyers of Moroccan sheep and goat meat in value terms, together accounting for 22.4% of total exports.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Morocco

Imports in kind, kg

Import volumes showed an unstable pattern across the period, fluctuating by a factor of 3.4 between the high in 2017 and the low in 2020. In 2020, foreign sheep and goat meat supplies to Morocco totaled 8 594 kg, indicating a sharp 70.3% decrease compared to 2019. The most notable increase was recorded in 2019 with a 9.5% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, kg

During 2017–2020, Spain and Australia were the dominant sources for Morocco's sheep and goat meat imports by volume, jointly accounting for 95.7% of total imports, with the remainder distributed among smaller markets.

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

Foreign sheep and goat meat supplies to Morocco declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 48.1 K $ US, reflecting a significant 62.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 71.4%, corresponding to a compound annual decline rate of 34.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and Australia served as the primary sources for Morocco's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms, together capturing 89.7% of total import flows, with the remaining share allocated to other markets.

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

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