The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) recently participated in a trade mission to Morocco, organized by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The delegation, led by Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley, included representatives from 50 agricultural companies and organizations. The purpose of the mission was to engage in business-to-business meetings, interact with Moroccan government officials, explore transportation logistics, and visit retail and foodservice outlets in Casablanca.
USMEF Africa Representatives Matt Copeland and Monty Brown, along with USMEF Director of Trade Analysis Jessica Spreitzer, were part of the delegation. The trade mission received funding support from USDA’s Regional Agricultural Promotion Program. Morocco, with its free trade agreement with the US, serves as the second largest export market for US agriculture in Africa. As a key distribution hub for the continent, Morocco is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
While Morocco is a major market for live cattle imports, beef imports are currently minimal. The country primarily sources beef from Spain and Brazil, with some imports of US beef livers. However, due to a severe six-year drought in Morocco, the government is opening up the market to more red meat suppliers to address inflation concerns.
Matt Copeland of USMEF highlighted the potential of the Moroccan market, emphasizing the trade barriers that need to be overcome, including technical challenges and financial risks for exporters. He noted that while the market for high-quality beef in Morocco remains largely untapped, the US now has duty-free access for Choice and Prime cuts. However, modern retail holds a small market share in Morocco, and the cold chain infrastructure is still in early stages of development.
In 2024, Morocco emerged as the sixth largest export market for US beef livers, with a total volume of 856 metric tons through October. Under the US-Morocco Free Trade Agreement, certain beef cuts enter duty-free, while others are subject to tariff-rate quotas. Spain and Brazil are the top beef suppliers to Morocco, with Spain leading in frozen, boneless cuts and Brazil in frozen beef imports. Additionally, Morocco recently announced a duty-free quota for Brazilian beef, lamb, goat, and camelid meat, posing an additional challenge for US suppliers.
The impact of droughts on feed costs has led to inflated prices for domestic beef production in Morocco, resulting in rising costs for consumers. Copeland expressed concerns about the duty-free quota for Brazilian beef potentially undermining the benefits of the US-Morocco Free Trade Agreement. However, he remains hopeful that inflationary pressures will ease, and Morocco may reconsider its annual agreement with Brazil.
In conclusion, the trade mission to Morocco provided valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges present in the Moroccan market for US meat exporters. As Morocco continues to navigate economic and environmental challenges, USMEF remains committed to exploring new avenues for enhancing trade relations with this key African market.
Source: US Meat Export Federation.