Morocco greenlights red meat imports in response to drought

Morocco’s food safety agency (ONSA) allowed imports of frozen or refrigerated sheep and beef meat from some 45 countries in response to a long drought that reduced the country’s cattle.

Sheep and goat meat imports were approved for the EU market in addition to Andora, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay

Beef meat can be imported from all the above-mentioned markets in addition to Brazil and Ukraine, the agency said.

Many farmers abandoned or reduced their cattle in view of the long drought and the surge in animal feed prices.

The government has allowed the import of sheep and beef cattle last year to ensure fair prices in the domestic market.

Food prices are the main trigger of inflation in the country.