Paraguay Aims to Increase Beef Exports to Morocco Amid Local…

Paraguay aims to double its beef exports to Morocco, currently at 4,500 tons, by engaging with local buyers amid Morocco’s significant livestock decline due to drought. This has led Morocco to import meat from various countries, including the consideration of sheep imports from Australia. Overall, Morocco’s meat import expenditures have risen sharply as they continue to seek solutions for local agricultural challenges.

Paraguay is positioning itself to significantly increase its beef exports to Morocco, aiming to double the current shipments. According to Mecro Press, representatives from Paraguay’s meat sector have engaged with Moroccan buyers to forge additional agreements that would facilitate these increased exports. Presently, Paraguay exports around 4,500 tons of beef to Morocco, and there is a strong aspiration to enhance this volume over the coming year.

Morocco’s need for imported meat arises from years of drought, which has severely affected local agricultural productivity. Minister of Agriculture Ahmed Bouari has indicated that Morocco is witnessing a drastic reduction in livestock, with the national herd shrinking by 38% since 2016. The number of cattle slaughtered annually has decreased from 230,000 to 150,000, prompting Morocco to seek imports from various sources including Romania and Argentina.

Additionally, reports indicate that Morocco is contemplating importing sheep from Australia in preparation for the upcoming Eid al-Adha festival. The country’s import expenditures have surged, reaching MAD 4.8 billion, marking an 83% increase compared to the previous year. As of November 2023, livestock imports without VAT and customs duties amounted to 110,000 tonnes, an increase from the 60,000 tonnes imported in 2023.

During last Eid al-Adha, Morocco procured approximately 600,000 sheep for sacrificial purposes from Spain and Romania. This trend underlines the extensive reliance on international markets to satisfy domestic meat demand amidst declining local livestock numbers. The efforts by Paraguay and other countries to fill this gap illustrate the ongoing challenges within Morocco’s agricultural sector.

Paraguay is actively seeking to expand its beef exports to Morocco, driven by the North African nation’s pressing demand for meat due to significant agricultural challenges. With livestock numbers sharply declining, Morocco’s strategy encompasses diversified meat imports, including potential Australian sheep. These developments reflect both Paraguay’s export ambitions and Morocco’s efforts to secure food supplies amidst persistent drought conditions that have severely impacted local farming.

Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com