A group of professionals complained about the stagnation in the process of importing frozen meat, more than a month after the National Office for Sanitary Safety of Food Products (UNSA) opened the door to importing fresh red meat with the aim of reducing prices.
They confirmed that import operations have not been initiated up to now, for reasons related to “storage,” highlighting that the Moroccan market does not accommodate this step, in terms of storage.
According to the same professionals, “the majority of importers are not enthusiastic about this step in light of the sharp discrepancy among them regarding the level of storage methods, which is the decisive step in providing frozen and chilled red meat to the Moroccan citizen.”
This coincides with the continued high cost of red meat, at a time when the government has expressed its intention to reduce its prices in the Moroccan market by suspending customs duties and value-added tax to ensure supply.
In this context, one of the beef importers revealed that “the poor storage methods of Moroccan importers and the large discrepancy between large and small importers, as well as butchers in national markets, are all factors that make the entry of these types of meat into the Kingdom unacceptable at the present time.”
The same spokesman explained that “bringing frozen meat to the butcher in the Moroccan market requires new storage conditions, and in the absence of this, not selling the entire product will be a huge loss, and it will become trash.”
For his part, one of the red meat importers confirmed that “sector professionals have not yet accepted or comprehended the plan to import frozen or chilled red meat.”
The same spokesman added that importers “will not find professionals buying this meat from them for reasons related to storage,” adding that “the Moroccan market needs to overcome these difficulties, and for professionals to accept this import process in order for it to be activated.”
It is noteworthy that the newly appointed minister at the head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Ahmed Al-Bouari, had stated that “the drought has affected the prices of red meat in the Moroccan market,” adding that “the government is counting on suspending import duties, with the goal of restoring the balance of the national herd.” “In order to confront this matter.”
#UNSA #decision #professionals #complain #stagnation #process #importing #red #meat #simplify #restrictions
**Interview with Dr. Ahmed El Mansouri, Agricultural Economist**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. El Mansouri. We’ve been hearing concerns from professionals regarding the stagnation in the importation of frozen meat in Morocco since UNSA’s announcement to allow fresh red meat imports. Can you explain why this situation is occurring?
**Dr. El Mansouri**: Thank you for having me. The delay in initiating import operations can be primarily attributed to logistical challenges, particularly in storage capabilities. Many importers are facing significant hurdles with their storage infrastructure, which limits their ability to efficiently manage frozen and chilled red meat.
**Editor**: It sounds like the infrastructure for storage is not keeping up with the demand. Can you elaborate on why this discrepancy among importers is a critical issue?
**Dr. El Mansouri**: Certainly. The effectiveness of the supply chain relies heavily on proper storage techniques. Different importers have varying levels of capability in this regard. If there isn’t a standardized method or sufficient facilities to handle frozen meat across the board, it can lead to quality issues and a lack of confidence among consumers. This disunity can consequently stall the entire importation process, as no one wants to take the risk without a reliable system in place.
**Editor**: So you’re suggesting that standardizing storage methods might be essential for moving forward?
**Dr. El Mansouri**: Absolutely. In order to ensure a seamless import process and maintain the quality of the products, there needs to be a cooperative effort among stakeholders to standardize storage practices. This would not only help in boosting morale among importers but also in reassuring consumers of the quality and safety of imported products.
**Editor**: And this delay comes at a time when meat prices continue to rise. What impact might this situation have on Moroccan consumers?
**Dr. El Mansouri**: The ongoing high costs of meat directly affect consumers, especially those with lower income. If imports remain stalled, this could further exacerbate food inflation. Consequently, there is a pressing need to resolve these logistical issues quickly, as both the market and consumers are in dire need of relief.
**Editor**: Thank you for your insights, Dr. El Mansouri. It seems clear that both logistical improvements and cooperation amongst importers are needed to alleviate the current situation in the meat market.
**Dr. El Mansouri**: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a swift resolution that benefits both the importers and consumers alike.
