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.”
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**Interview with Ahmed El Amrani, President of the Moroccan Meat Importers Association**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Ahmed. We’ve seen complaints from professionals about stagnation in the process of importing frozen meat since the introduction of fresh red meat imports. Can you shed light on what’s causing these delays?
**Ahmed El Amrani:** Thank you for having me. The primary issue we’re facing is indeed related to storage capabilities. While the National Office for Sanitary Safety of Food Products opened the door for fresh red meat imports to help stabilize prices, many importers are hesitant due to the lack of adequate storage facilities in Morocco. The current infrastructure simply cannot support the necessary storage requirements for frozen and chilled meat.
**Editor:** That sounds concerning. Are there specific challenges that the storage methods are presenting for importers?
**Ahmed El Amrani:** Absolutely. There is a wide discrepancy among importers regarding their storage capabilities. Some may have state-of-the-art facilities, while others struggle to meet health and safety standards. This unevenness in storage capacity makes it difficult for importers to engage in a coordinated effort to supply frozen meat. If an importer cannot ensure proper storage, they won’t be able to guarantee the quality and safety of the meat, which is crucial for consumer trust.
**Editor:** So, it seems like this issue isn’t just logistical but also about ensuring food safety as a priority. What are the next steps for resolving these challenges?
**Ahmed El Amrani:** Yes, safety is paramount. We need a comprehensive approach that includes improving storage facilities and standardizing storage methods across the board. We are in discussions with various stakeholders, including governmental entities, to expedite the development of the necessary infrastructure. Additionally, training programs for importers could enhance their storage practices, thus making them more enthusiastic about participating in the fresh red meat import process.
**Editor:** Do you think that the market will eventually stabilize prices once these issues are resolved?
**Ahmed El Amrani:** That’s our hope. If we can align the storage issues and ensure all importers can provide high-quality frozen meat, we should see an increase in supply, which will ultimately help stabilize prices for consumers. It is a pressing need, especially in light of ongoing high consumer prices.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Ahmed. We look forward to seeing progress in this sector.
**Ahmed El Amrani:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for positive developments soon.