Casablanca – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to lead a significant agribusiness trade mission to Casablanca, Morocco, from December 2 to 5, 2024, underscoring Morocco’s vital role as a trade partner for U.S. agricultural exports. Spearheaded by Alexis M. Taylor, the USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, the three-day visit aims to foster closer commercial ties between U.S. agricultural exporters and Moroccan markets, with a focus on expanding access to broader West African markets. 

Representatives from approximately 50 American companies and organizations, alongside delegates from 14 state agricultural departments, will be part of the mission. According to USDA Administrator Daniel Whitley, who will lead the delegation, “This mission provides a crucial platform for U.S. agribusinesses to tap into Morocco’s dynamic market, leveraging its strategic position to open doors to the wider African continent. We are committed to facilitating these critical connections to further boost U.S. agricultural exports.” 

Morocco: A key market for U.S. agriculture 

Morocco has established itself as a key market for U.S. agricultural products, ranking as the second-largest destination for American agricultural exports in Africa. In 2023, U.S. exports to Morocco reached $619 million, representing 16% of the U.S. agricultural market share in Africa. Since the implementation of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement in 2006, U.S. agricultural exports to Morocco have more than doubled. 

The mission will focus on building relationships with Moroccan importers and exploring opportunities to expand U.S. agricultural and food exports. The delegates will participate in business-to-business meetings with potential partners, aiming to capitalize on Morocco’s stable market and burgeoning demand for food and agricultural goods. 

Opportunities for U.S. exporters 

The USDA highlights Morocco’s strategic position as a distribution hub for African markets. U.S. exporters have significant opportunities in sectors such as beef and beef products, dairy, feed grains, live animals, rice, seafood, soybeans, tree nuts, and more. Morocco’s expanding food processing sector, combined with a growing consumer base, offers promising sales potentials across various industries. 

Notably, the USDA reports that soybeans led U.S. agricultural exports to Morocco last year, with a total volume of 427,272 tons valued at $225.4 million. Tree nuts followed, with exports totaling 32,381 tons and valued at $137.03 million, while “distillers’ grains” reached $91.41 million. Other prominent exports included corn and forage crops, highlighting the strong demand for U.S. bulk and intermediate goods. 

A strategic partnership 

The trade mission reflects broader U.S. efforts to strengthen agricultural partnerships with Morocco and other West African nations. Delegates such as Kansas Agriculture Secretary Mike Beam, North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture Matthew Lohr, and Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture Randy Romanski will accompany Whitley, representing a broad coalition of American states seeking to enhance their exports. 

U.S. officials acknowledge Morocco’s vital role as a stable, growing market for agricultural imports and as a strategic hub for distribution across Africa. Moreover, Morocco’s recent efforts to address drought challenges, including investments in seawater desalination projects and strategic import measures, have attracted increased U.S. interest. The USDA also emphasizes that Morocco’s “phosphate diplomacy” and its significant role as a supplier of competitively priced fertilizers present compelling opportunities for mutually beneficial trade deals. 

In light of Morocco’s expanding infrastructure, such as the planned completion of the Atlantic Dakhla Port and efforts to improve regional connectivity, U.S. agribusiness representatives are optimistic about deepening trade ties and exploring new markets for their products. 

Strengthening trade amid shared goals 

With a focus on mutual benefit and sustainable growth, the upcoming U.S. agribusiness trade mission aims to further deepen the trade ties between Morocco and the U.S., demonstrating the shared interest in economic resilience and agricultural development for both countries.