Thirty-seven companies took part in importing cattle for slaughter into Morocco in 2026, with Brazil accounting for more than 90% of total imported animals, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests said.
The imports are part of government measures aimed at ensuring domestic markets remain supplied with red meat and helping stabilize prices, the ministry said in a statement.
Monthly imports averaged around 24,000 head of cattle, although volumes varied considerably. More than 44,000 head were imported in June and July, compared with approximately 17,000 in August and September.
Import orders increased in October following the opening of the Portuguese market to Moroccan buyers. Portugal’s geographic proximity to Morocco makes it an additional potential source of supply, the ministry said.
The ministry attributed Brazil’s dominant position to the greater availability of cattle there compared with European markets.
The government’s duty-free import quota for 2026 was set at 300,000 head of cattle. The ministry said the quota had been exhausted after accounting for animals already imported and those covered by valid customs exemptions that were still being processed.
Suppliers and industry professionals were notified that the quota had ended on Oct. 15, 2026.
Under Decree No. 2.25.720, issued on Aug. 29, 2025, and Article 2 of Finance Law No. 50.25, the government suspended customs duties and value-added tax on imports covered by the quota through Dec. 31, 2026.
The ministry said imports had been open to all suppliers and industry professionals without prior authorization. Applications for exemptions were submitted through the PORTNET platform and processed in the order received, in less than 24 hours. Each exemption was valid for one month.
The measures were introduced amid pressure on Morocco’s red meat sector following several years of drought, reduced livestock numbers and shortages of animal feed, which have driven up feed costs and contributed to higher meat prices.
The ministry said these conditions had prompted some farmers to slaughter female cattle, further affecting the supply of animals available for the domestic market.
According to the ministry, cattle imports have helped strengthen domestic red meat supplies, maintain market availability and stabilize prices.
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