Sheep meat prices in Morocco have climbed to as much as 180 dirhams ($18) per kilogram at retail, amid speculation online that prices could reach 200 dirhams, a scenario industry professionals currently consider unlikely.
The price increase comes amid a reported decline in the number of sheep available on the domestic market.
Sheep meat is currently selling for around 130 dirhams per kilogram at wholesale, while retail prices range between 140 and 180 dirhams, according to traders.
Hicham El Jouabri, regional secretary for red meat traders in Casablanca, told Hespress English that prices were unlikely to reach 200 dirhams per kilogram despite continued pressure on Morocco’s livestock herd.
“That’s a lot,” El Jouabri said.
He said the country’s livestock herd remains small and domestic production is insufficient to meet demand.
The government has opened the market to meat imports, but El Jouabri said the measure has had limited impact on prices because imported meat remains subject to a 20% tax burden.
As a result, imported and locally produced meat remain relatively close in price, he said, adding that the measure “has not had any real positive impact on sheep meat prices.”
Moustapha Atta, a trader operating in both the wholesale and retail markets, also ruled out prices reaching 200 dirhams per kilogram.
He said prices currently have no reason to rise beyond 140 to 170 dirhams, noting that although Morocco’s livestock herd remains small, demand is also relatively weak because it is not currently a peak consumption period.
“There is currently a commercial slowdown,” Atta said.
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