Moroccan Market Sees Surge in Russian Animal Feed Imports
Between January and May 24 of this year, Morocco has imported approximately 87,000 tons of agricultural feed, including sunflower seeds, wild mustard, soybeans, and flax, from Russia. This figure represents a significant increase of about 27% compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Federal Center for the Development of Agricultural Exports. The report from Agroexport, a government institution under the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, highlights that these shipments to Morocco mark the highest volume of exports recorded to the North African country.
The data indicates that Morocco, alongside China and Turkey, has become one of the main destinations for these Russian products, particularly following the imposition of protective tariffs by European countries on such imports. It is noteworthy that the growth in milk and meat production within Morocco has contributed to an increased demand for agricultural animal feed, with Moroccan imports of Russian sunflower meal increasing by approximately 1.6 times compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the demand for soybeans surged fivefold during the same timeframe.
Opportunities for Russian Suppliers in North Africa
Agroexport reported that the first shipment of soybeans to Morocco amounted to 6,000 tons, making it the second-largest quantity exported abroad after shipments to Turkey. This upward trend in Moroccan imports opens the door for Russian suppliers to strengthen their foothold in the North African market, allowing them to surpass competitors from Ukraine, the European Union, Canada, and other countries.
According to the latest data from the Olio Scope information and analysis center for the 2023/2024 agricultural season, the main buyers of Russian plant-based feed included Belarus, Turkey, and China, with these countries collectively purchasing around 2.7 million tons of these products. Belarusian imports rose to 850,000 tons, while Turkey's imports increased from 594,000 tons to 836,000 tons seasonally.
Looking ahead, the United States Department of Agriculture forecasts that Morocco's demand for imported agricultural feed will continue to grow in the 2026-2027 season, surpassing 1.5 million tons, which represents an expected increase of 18% compared to the 2025-2026 season. This trend further solidifies Morocco’s position as a vital hub for Russian agricultural exports in the region.
As reported by hespress.com.
