To try to lower the price of red meat, which has nearly doubled in two years, only the importation of live animals for slaughter in Morocco was previously allowed. However, the kingdom recently began authorizing the import of fresh, refrigerated, and frozen red meat. The first shipments are already on sale in butcher shops and supermarkets, where a slight decrease in prices has been observed.

“In Casablanca, we have started selling fresh meat, imported mainly from Spain and Portugal, to retail butchers. As for frozen meat, it follows a different distribution channel since it is primarily destined for large restaurants and hotels,” explains Hicham Jouabri, regional secretary for wholesale red meat traders in Casablanca, in an interview with TelQuel.

A 10-dirham drop

According to him, the quantities of red meat that have entered the national market so far “are still minimal” and do not yet allow for a significant impact on prices. “For beef, for example, we sold it to butchers at between 80 and 83 dirhams, instead of 90 to 93 dirhams for locally produced meat. That’s already a 10-dirham drop, which consumers should feel in the final price,” he assures. Once the seller’s margin is added, prices then vary depending on the neighborhoods where the meat is sold, as well as the specific cuts of beef chosen by each buyer.

“It’s true that in certain cities and neighborhoods, the price of beef has dropped by ten dirhams, but only for the imported meat. That’s completely normal because the operation has just begun. We’ll have to wait until the beginning of the year to feel a real impact on consumers,” says Bouazza Kherrati, president of the Moroccan Federation for Consumer Rights (FMDC), based in Kenitra.

“In any case, importing is completely justified given the surge in prices on the national market, caused by the shortage of livestock for slaughter. The goal is to give the national herd time to recover. This operation will allow prices to stabilize more or less, because without this decision, prices would have continued to rise and become even more expensive,” argues Hicham Jouabri, who anticipates a more significant drop by Ramadan.

Several countries involved

The decision to import fresh, frozen, or refrigerated red meat was announced on October 15 by the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA). According to the official document, signed by its General Director Abdellah Janati and obtained by TelQuel, the importation of sheep and goat meat is authorized from all European Union countries, as well as Andorra, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, and Uruguay.

As for beef, in addition to the aforementioned countries, Brazil, Paraguay, and Ukraine are also included. “The list of these countries may be modified in the event of the emergence of a health risk for human or animal health linked to the importation of meat,” the document specifies.

Two weeks later, on October 28, the Ministry of Agriculture published the specifications outlining the technical and sanitary conditions for importation. It notably mentions that camel meat is also included in this operation. The document further specifies that imported meat must be presented “as a whole carcass, half-carcass, or quarter-carcass for cattle and camels, and as a whole or half-carcass for sheep and goats.”

The meat must strictly come from animals “slaughtered in an approved abattoir and according to the Islamic halal ritual. To this end, the importer must present a halal slaughter certificate issued by an Islamic organization approved by the competent authorities of the country of origin,” the document states.

Concerns

As soon as the importation was announced, several concerns regarding the quality of imported meat were raised in Morocco, particularly on social media. Some also questioned whether the meat was “truly halal.” These concerns prompted ONSSA to reassure consumers. In a statement released on November 25, the Office affirmed that it “ensures systematic and rigorous health inspections of all meat imported into Morocco,” including fresh and frozen meat, which “meets both national and international standards for hygiene and food safety.”

“The importation of meat is only authorized from countries approved for import following a health risk assessment by ONSSA experts, a review of the meat preparation conditions in slaughterhouses, and an evaluation of the competency of inspectors in the countries of origin,” the Office added.

At border inspection posts, ONSSA’s veterinary services also conduct “systematic inspections of imported meat by first verifying the accompanying health documents. These documents, issued by the competent authorities of the country of origin, include health certificates attesting to the hygiene and food safety of the meat, whether fresh or frozen. In addition, an inspection is carried out to assess the transport and storage conditions, the compliance of labeling with current regulations, and the strict adherence to the cold chain throughout the transport process.”

ONSSA also emphasizes that “all imported meat comes from halal slaughter conducted in accordance with Islamic standards.”

The case of Brazil

Another concern involves meat imported from Brazil, which is currently at the center of controversy in France. According to the findings of an audit commissioned by the European Commission and made public in mid-October, Brazil is unable to guarantee that its beef has not been treated with estradiol 17ß, a growth hormone used in some Brazilian farms. While this hormone is authorized in Brazil, it is banned in Europe due to its carcinogenic nature. This conclusion has further heightened tensions among French farmers opposed to a free trade agreement with Mercosur, the trade bloc comprising several South American countries.

In Morocco, Brazilian meat is among the imports that have been authorized. TelQuel therefore asked ONSSA whether measures had been taken to monitor for the presence of this hormone. “Of course, checks have been carried out in this regard by our services, and in any case, all imported meat meets international standards, including those of France, in addition to ONSSA’s national standards,” a source from the Office explained.

From the perspective of the Consumer Federation, its president also seeks to reassure the public. “Certainly, there are some hesitations about imported meat, even from butchers, particularly concerning halal certification, but all of that is unfounded. Personally, I’d rather eat this meat than consume meat slaughtered in Morocco, where some abattoirs are not even subject to health inspections and where veterinarians never set foot,” says Bouazza Kherrati.

According to Minister of Agriculture Ahmed Bouari, Morocco has so far imported 360 tons of frozen red meat. Government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas stated on November 14 that requests to import nearly 10,000 tons of fresh or frozen red meat have been processed. The government’s target is to import 20,000 tons by the end of 2024.

Written in French by Ghita Ismaili, edited in English by Eric Nielson