Paraguay aims to double its beef exports to Morocco, currently at 4,500 tons. Due to six years of drought and a 38% decrease in livestock, Morocco has increased its meat imports, turning to countries like Romania and Argentina. Additionally, Morocco plans to import sheep from Australia for Eid al-Adha. The national import bill has risen significantly, reflecting heightened demand.
Paraguay is positioning itself to significantly increase its beef exports to Morocco. Recent reports from Mecro Press indicate that Paraguayan beef exporters have engaged in discussions with Moroccan buyers aimed at securing expanded trade agreements to enhance their export volume to the North African nation. Currently, Paraguay exports around 4,500 tons of beef to Morocco, with aspirations to double this figure in the forthcoming year.
The context for this expansion arises from Morocco’s urgent need for meat imports. Due to six consecutive years of drought affecting agricultural production, Morocco is experiencing a notable decrease in livestock numbers. Agriculture Minister Ahmed Bouari highlighted that the national herd has diminished by 38% since 2016, with annual cattle slaughter rates dropping from 230,000 to 150,000.
To compensate for this shortfall, Morocco has turned to various international markets for beef and cattle imports, including suppliers from Romania and Argentina. There are also indications that Morocco is contemplating the importation of sheep from Australia in preparation for the upcoming Eid al-Adha celebrations. Reports reveal that Morocco’s total import expenditure has reached MAD 4.8 billion, marking an 83% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2023.
By late November of last year, livestock imports into Morocco had surged to 110,000 tons, excluding value-added tax and customs duties, a sharp increase from 60,000 tons in 2023. During the previous Eid al-Adha, approximately 600,000 sheep were imported for sacrificial purposes from Spain and Romania, further underscoring the demand for meat imports in the nation.
In conclusion, Paraguay is actively seeking to boost its beef exports to Morocco, aiming to satisfy the latter’s increasing meat demand amid livestock shortages caused by prolonged drought conditions. Morocco has become heavily reliant on international meat imports and is exploring diverse sources to meet domestic requirements, reflecting a significant shift in its agricultural strategy to address the challenges posed by declining local production.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
