Morocco will ban exports of frozen sardines starting February 1 in a bid to protect domestic supply and curb rising prices, Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries Zakia Driouich.
Driouich did not specify how long the measure would remain in force but said it was aimed at ensuring adequate availability for local consumers, particularly ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, when demand for sardines traditionally increases.
Sardines are a staple food in Morocco, prized for their affordability and high protein content. Price volatility has become a growing concern in recent years as landings have declined and competition for supply has intensified.
According to official data from the National Fisheries Office (ONP), sardine landings in the North African kingdom fell by 46 percent between 2022 and 2024, dropping to about 525,000 metric tonnes from 965,000 tonnes.
The sharp decline has been attributed to a combination of stock depletion, overfishing and environmental pressures, prompting repeated warnings from scientists and industry groups about the sustainability of the resource.
Reduced landings have also contributed to several price spikes across Moroccan markets during 2025, particularly in coastal and urban areas, fuelling public concern over access to one of the country’s most widely consumed fish.
The export ban underscores the difficult balancing act facing Moroccan authorities, who must reconcile domestic food security concerns with the interests of an industry that is heavily oriented toward foreign markets.
Morocco remains the world’s largest producer and exporter of canned sardines, supplying markets in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The sector is a major source of employment, particularly in coastal regions, and plays an important role in the country’s agri-food exports.
Industry data show that Morocco ships around 15,000 tonnes of canned sardines annually, with exports accounting for a significant share of processing activity. Frozen sardines, while a smaller segment, are also traded internationally, especially during periods of strong global demand.
Observers said the temporary suspension of frozen sardine exports is unlikely to affect Morocco’s dominance in canned sardine markets but could put pressure on exporters and processors that rely on overseas sales for revenue.
The government has increasingly signalled a tougher stance on fisheries management as fish stocks show signs of stress. Authorities have pledged to strengthen monitoring, improve traceability and step up enforcement against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Concerns about sustainability were echoed last year by the National Union of Fish Canning Industries (UNICOP), which represents processors and exporters. In June 2025, the group called for stricter controls at ports and more robust action against illegal fishing practices.
UNICOP also urged authorities to ban the capture of juvenile fish and to rigorously enforce biological rest periods — seasonal fishing closures designed to allow stocks to reproduce and recover.
Environmental groups and marine scientists have long warned that small pelagic species, including sardines, are particularly vulnerable to overexploitation due to their ecological role and sensitivity to changing ocean conditions.
Morocco has introduced a range of measures in recent years to regulate fishing effort, including quotas, seasonal bans and fleet modernisation programmes. However, enforcement remains uneven, especially along parts of the Atlantic coast where artisanal fishing is widespread.
Driouich said the export ban should be seen as part of a broader effort to stabilise the domestic market while longer-term solutions to protect fish stocks are implemented.
With Ramadan approaching and pressure on household budgets remaining high, the government faces mounting expectations to keep staple food prices under control, even as it seeks to preserve the competitiveness of one of its most important seafood industries.
