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For several weeks, the management of import subsidies for red meat has been a source of division within the government majority. Rachid Talbi Alami, President of the House of Representatives and member of the National Rally of Independents (RNI), attempted to calm the controversy on Friday evening in Salé. He clarified that these subsidies amount to 300 million dirhams, not 1.3 billion as claimed, and that they involve 100 importers, not 18.
This clarification came in response to criticism from two ministers from the Istiqlal party, a member of the government coalition. Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade, criticized the market concentration in the hands of a few players: «18 red meat importers should not hold 37 million Moroccans hostage», he said on Medi1 TV. Meanwhile, Nizar Baraka, Secretary General of Istiqlal and Minister of Equipment, criticized the lack of conditions imposed on the subsidies, asserting that «the aid granted to sheep importers should have been conditional».
The issue took a more political turn when the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), the third pillar of the majority, called for the cancellation of tax and customs exemptions put in place to lower prices. PAM also urged the government to «strengthen oversight and crack down on certain speculators» whom it accuses of manipulating the market for their own benefit.
An investigation into possible embezzlement
As the controversy escalates, the public prosecutor has tasked the National Brigade of Judicial Police with investigating the subsidies granted to sheep and cattle importers. According to the daily Al Akhbar, authorities are closely scrutinizing the import channels and the identities of the beneficiaries, suspecting that some may have embezzled public funds without any reduction in meat prices.
The investigation will question key importers, as well as parliamentarians and political leaders. Ryad Mezzour has revealed that some importers’ profit margins range from 20 to 25 dirhams per kilogram, far exceeding the initially planned 10 dirhams. The market is thus controlled by a small group of speculators who are artificially keeping prices high.
The fallout from this affair extends beyond the economic sphere. The growing tensions between the RNI, Istiqlal, and PAM reveal cracks within the majority as the 2026 legislative elections approach. In response to accusations of favoritism and suspicions of embezzlement, Rachid Talbi Alami challenged the government’s critics: «If you have evidence, take the matter to court!»
