Morocco’s spending on food imports rose to 94.6 billion dirhams (US$10.3 billion) in 2025, driven largely by a sharp increase in live animal purchases as the government sought to stabilise domestic meat supply and rebuild a national herd depleted by years of drought, official data showed.
Food imports increased by 3.3 percent from a year earlier, according to the Exchange Office’s December foreign trade report. Wheat, sugar, corn and live animals were the main import items, together accounting for nearly 42 percent of Morocco’s total food import bill, equivalent to 39.7 billion dirhams (US$4.34 billion).
Live animal imports recorded the strongest growth among major food categories. Exchange Office figures showed spending on livestock rose 25 percent year on year to 6.97 billion dirhams (US$762.7 million) in 2025.
The increase followed policy measures introduced under the 2025 Finance Act, which suspended import duties and value-added tax on cattle, sheep, goats and camelids from January 1 to December 31, 2025. The government said the measures were aimed at easing pressure on domestic meat prices and ensuring adequate supply for consumers.
Local media reported that authorities doubled the quota for cattle imports to 300,000 head in August 2025 as part of broader efforts to support the livestock sector. The move came as Morocco continues to grapple with the effects of a prolonged drought that has weighed heavily on agricultural output and animal stocks.
According to the latest surveys conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2025, Morocco has lost about 38 percent of its cattle and sheep population since 2016, reflecting the cumulative impact of seven consecutive years of below-average rainfall.
Beyond livestock, spending on corn imports rose 18.5 percent year on year, reflecting higher demand for animal feed amid efforts to restock herds. In contrast, the value of sugar and wheat imports declined by 18 percent and 5.8 percent, respectively, suggesting some easing in international prices and improved supply management, analysts said.
Food imports represented 11.5 percent of Morocco’s overall import bill, which reached 822.2 billion dirhams (US$89.9 billion) in 2025, according to the Exchange Office.
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Despite its position as a major agricultural producer and exporter, Morocco remained a net importer of food products during the year. Data showed that food export revenues stood at 86.8 billion dirhams (US$9.4 billion) in 2025, down marginally by 0.1 percent from the previous year.
As a result, the country posted a food trade deficit of 7.78 billion dirhams (US$850 million) in 2025.
Food exports accounted for nearly 19 percent of Morocco’s total export revenues, which rose to 469 billion dirhams (US$51.2 billion) in 2025, supported by strong performance in sectors such as automotive manufacturing, phosphates and agri-food processing.
Morocco’s agricultural trade balance has come under increasing pressure in recent years as climate-related shocks, particularly drought, have reduced domestic output of cereals and livestock. The country relies heavily on imports of wheat, corn and animal feed to meet domestic demand.
Authorities have stepped up policy support for the agricultural sector through subsidies, tax relief and investment programmes aimed at improving water efficiency, expanding irrigation and strengthening food security.
However, analysts say Morocco remains vulnerable to external shocks, including volatility in global commodity prices and supply chain disruptions, given its dependence on imported staples and feed inputs.
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The government has said it will continue to adjust trade and fiscal policies to balance consumer price stability with support for domestic producers, while accelerating long-term reforms to improve agricultural resilience.
As climate pressures persist, Morocco’s food import bill is likely to remain sensitive to both weather conditions at home and price movements on international markets, economists say.
