Morocco suspends red meat import duties to curb prices

At its meeting on Wednesday, the Government Council approved draft decree No. 2.26.584, which suspends import duties on live sheep and on meat from several domestic animal species, including cattle, sheep, goats and camelids. The draft also revises customs duties on offal from these animals, with the aim of boosting domestic supply and curbing the continued rise in red meat prices.

The measure builds on provisions introduced under the 2026 Finance Act, which extended exemptions from customs duties and value-added tax (VAT) on imports of domestic cattle. The government has also doubled the import quota eligible for the exemption, raising it from 150,000 to 300,000 head in an effort to strengthen domestic supply, stabilize the market and support the rebuilding of the national livestock herd.

Aziz Akhannouch's government first introduced a similar measure in September 2024 to bring down red meat prices. However, the initiative failed to produce the expected effect, with consumer prices remaining persistently high.