Lamb prices in Morocco surge triggering public outcry

Lamb prices in Morocco have surged to over $14 per kilogram, causing widespread concern among consumers, as reported by Morocco World News. Many citizens are frustrated by the rising costs, with no indication that prices will fall after the summer.

The Moroccan Federation of Livestock Industry Actors (FMAFE) has called for increased transparency and vowed to use all legal means to challenge any decisions favoring specific interests over the sector’s stakeholders. The federation criticized the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) for lacking a clear strategy to address the current crisis, citing a shortage of sheep and cattle for slaughter. It also condemned the "systematic exclusion and marginalization" of key stakeholders, such as farmers, importers, and traders.

In August, Agriculture Minister Mohammed Sadiki held meetings to tackle the challenges in the red meat and dairy sectors, stressing the urgent need to maintain food sovereignty amid ongoing drought conditions.

A July 2023 survey by research firm Sunergia showed that over 60% of Moroccan consumers have reduced grocery purchases due to rising prices. Food inflation hit record levels in 2023, peaking at 18.4% in February, following the worst drought in over thirty years.