Casablanca – In 2025, Morocco has significantly reinforced its position in the international livestock market, emerging as one of the world’s leading importers of live cattle. This shift reflects a broader transformation in the Kingdom’s agricultural and food security policies, as authorities seek to stabilize red meat supplies, curb price volatility, and protect consumer purchasing power amid global market pressures.

Against a backdrop of rising production costs, climate variability, and tightening domestic supply, Morocco has turned increasingly to external partners to meet its growing demand for red meat. Brazil, now the world’s largest exporter of live cattle, has become a central pillar of this strategy, supplying a substantial share of Morocco’s imports and helping to ease pressure on local markets.

A strategic turn toward international supply

According to recent trade data, Morocco ranked among the top five importers of Brazilian live cattle in 2025, alongside Turkey, Iraq, Egypt, and Lebanon. While Turkey led the group in terms of total import value, Morocco’s position on this list underscores its rising dependence on global supply chains to ensure food security and market stability.

Brazil exported approximately 1.05 million head of live cattle in 2025, representing nearly 25 percent of global trade in this segment. Morocco’s growing share of these imports reflects not only increased domestic demand but also a deliberate policy choice to diversify supply sources and reduce vulnerability to domestic production shocks.

This strategic turn is rooted in Morocco’s efforts to stabilize meat prices, which have been under pressure from rising feed costs, drought conditions, and fluctuations in local livestock production. By securing reliable international suppliers, authorities aim to smooth supply cycles, reduce seasonal shortages, and protect consumers from sudden price spikes.

Food security and price stability at the core

Red meat plays a central role in Moroccan consumption patterns, making price stability a sensitive economic and social issue. In recent years, domestic livestock producers have faced mounting challenges, including water scarcity, rising input costs, and reduced pasture productivity. These pressures have constrained supply and contributed to upward pressure on prices, prompting policymakers to expand the role of imports.

The increased inflow of live cattle from Brazil is designed to reinforce local slaughtering capacity, increase market availability, and stabilize retail prices. Rather than relying solely on frozen or processed meat imports, Morocco has prioritized live cattle imports to maintain supply continuity across traditional distribution channels and local markets.

This approach also supports employment and value creation within Morocco’s domestic meat processing and distribution sectors, as imported cattle are slaughtered and handled locally, integrating international supply into the national value chain.

Morocco’s growing weight in Brazil’s export strategy

From Brazil’s perspective, Morocco has become a strategic destination within its expanding livestock export network. In 2025, Brazilian cattle exports generated revenues exceeding $1 billion, marking annual growth of 26 percent compared to the previous year. This recovery followed a period of contraction between 2021 and 2022, when exports fell sharply due to health restrictions and logistical disruptions.

Morocco’s role in this rebound highlights its growing importance as a stable and high-demand market. The Kingdom’s consistent purchasing volumes and long-term import outlook have positioned it as a key partner in Brazil’s export diversification strategy, particularly as demand from traditional markets fluctuates.

Global inflation and its impact on Morocco

Morocco’s import strategy has also been shaped by broader global economic trends, particularly inflationary pressures in major economies. In 2025, beef prices in the United States rose by 16.4 percent, reflecting tighter supply conditions and rising production costs. Coffee prices also surged by 28 percent, contributing to broader food inflation and supply chain adjustments.

These global price dynamics have had indirect effects on Morocco by tightening international supply and increasing competition among importing countries. In response, Moroccan authorities have moved proactively to secure supply contracts and maintain access to key exporters, including Brazil, to mitigate the risk of global price shocks filtering into the domestic market.

Balancing imports with domestic production

While imports have become a critical tool in Morocco’s food security strategy, authorities continue to emphasize the importance of strengthening domestic livestock production. Investments in breeding programs, feed efficiency, veterinary services, and water management remain central to the long-term sustainability of the sector.

However, policymakers increasingly recognize that domestic production alone may not be sufficient to meet rising demand, particularly in the context of climate change and structural constraints on pasture and water resources. As a result, imports are now viewed not as a temporary measure but as a permanent and complementary component of Morocco’s agricultural policy framework.

Debate over live cattle imports

Despite the economic rationale behind live cattle imports, the policy has sparked debate within Morocco and internationally. Critics raise concerns about animal welfare during long-distance transport and the environmental footprint of live animal trade. Others argue that importing processed meat could offer a more efficient and sustainable alternative.

Supporters of the current approach counter that live cattle imports allow Morocco to retain greater control over quality, slaughtering standards, and distribution, while supporting domestic processing industries and preserving traditional supply chains.

Outlook: a central player in regional livestock trade

Looking ahead, Morocco is expected to remain a major importer of live cattle, particularly from Brazil, as it continues to prioritize food security and price stability. The Kingdom’s growing role in global livestock trade reflects a broader shift toward more integrated and diversified sourcing strategies, positioning Morocco as a central player in regional and international meat markets.

As global supply chains evolve and market volatility persists, Morocco’s experience highlights how emerging economies are reshaping agricultural trade to safeguard domestic stability. In 2025, the Kingdom’s livestock import strategy stands not only as a response to immediate pressures but also as a long-term recalibration of its approach to food security in an increasingly interconnected global economy.