Morocco to reinstate taxes on sheep, goat imports from September 2025

MOROCCO – The government of Morocco will reintroduce customs duties and value-added tax on imports of sheep and goats at the end of September 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, as recently reported by Médias 24.

The government had suspended these levies in 2023 to maintain a stable supply of red meat when drought conditions severely cut into national production.

Officials say the situation has now shifted due to a rebound in livestock numbers and improved breeding conditions across the country.

A census carried out by the ministry between June and August 2025 estimated the national flock at around 23.1 million sheep and 7.47 million goats.

The ministry explained that this recovery is sufficient to meet domestic demand without continued reliance on tax-free imports.

At the same time, concerns remain in the poultry sector, where consumers are experiencing rising prices for chicken despite assurances earlier in the year that costs would remain steady.

Reports from several Moroccan cities show live chicken prices have climbed to about US$2.30 (23 dirhams) per kilogram, well above the US$2.00 (20 dirhams) average seen in previous months.

Industry representatives had said that summer prices would hold steady because of consistent supply, but the current trend suggests otherwise.

Consumer groups attribute the rise to a mix of higher feed costs, heat-related losses, and growing demand linked to weddings and restaurant activity.

According to Redouane Zouitni, a consumer rights advocate, high temperatures in facilities without adequate cooling systems have killed many birds and lowered egg hatch rates.

Union leader Abdelkrim Kadouri added that chick production also slowed, with weekly output in early July falling below 9 million compared to the 10 million needed to balance the market.

He noted that production has started to pick up again, which could bring some relief to consumers in roughly six weeks if conditions remain stable.

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