Morocco and Poland signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on January 16 to enhance cooperation on animal health and the sanitary safety of animal products, in a move aimed at bolstering livestock trade amid Morocco’s shrinking national herd.
The agreement was signed by Morocco’s Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari and his Polish counterpart, Stefan Krajewski, during the International Green Week in Berlin, which runs from January 16 to 25. The MoU focuses on technical collaboration, including training, research, and the recognition of veterinary standards, alongside trade facilitation.
“The partnership between Morocco and Poland is not limited to trade, but also includes technical cooperation, such as training and research,” Krajewski said, according to Moroccan media outlet Maroc Hebdo.
Declining Herd Spurs Import Measures
Morocco’s livestock sector has faced significant challenges in recent years, including multiple drought-hit seasons and rising feed costs. According to data from the Moroccan Agriculture Ministry published in 2025, the country’s cattle and sheep population has declined by 38% since 2016, exerting upward pressure on domestic meat prices.
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To ease market pressures, Morocco has implemented measures to support imports of live animals and meat. The 2026 finance law provides temporary exemptions from value-added tax (VAT) on live bovine and camel imports for the full calendar year, capped at 300,000 cattle and 10,000 camels. These measures aim to stabilize domestic supply and moderate price increases for consumers.
Poland as a Strategic Supplier
Historically, Morocco has sourced much of its livestock imports from Spain and Brazil. Poland, a significant global exporter of meat and edible offal, has played a minor role in the Moroccan market. Trade data show that Morocco imported nearly $47.4 million in meat and offal in 2024, of which only $114,000 came from Poland.
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By establishing a formal framework for cooperation, the MoU could help Morocco diversify its livestock supply sources, facilitating regulatory recognition of veterinary and sanitary standards, and reducing bureaucratic hurdles for Polish exporters. While the memorandum does not include specific volume commitments, it lays the groundwork for potential expansion in bilateral trade.
Any increase in trade will depend on Morocco’s import requirements, the competitiveness of Polish suppliers relative to other exporters, and the private sector’s ability to capitalize on the new framework. Analysts note that technical cooperation, including veterinary training and research, may also improve the overall quality and safety of imported livestock and meat products, supporting longer-term resilience in Morocco’s livestock sector.
Technical and Commercial Dimensions
The MoU emphasizes a dual focus on technical and commercial collaboration. In addition to facilitating imports, the agreement envisions knowledge-sharing in areas such as disease control, animal husbandry practices, and sanitary compliance. This could enhance Morocco’s capacity to monitor and manage animal health risks, a growing concern given the country’s smaller herd and increased reliance on imported livestock.
For Poland, the agreement offers a strategic opportunity to expand its presence in North Africa, leveraging competitive production costs and established veterinary standards to supply a new market. Observers note that while Morocco’s domestic herd reduction has created short-term demand, long-term trade growth will depend on consistent regulatory oversight, private sector participation, and market pricing dynamics.
The MoU underscores Morocco’s broader efforts to strengthen its agricultural sector amid climate challenges, rising input costs, and shifting global trade patterns. By combining technical cooperation with trade facilitation, authorities hope to ensure the livestock sector remains sustainable and resilient, providing affordable meat supply for domestic consumption while building new commercial partnerships abroad.
