Morocco is looking to import up to 100,000 live sheep annually from Australia, with a delegation visiting Western Australia this week to advance negotiations, according to the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC).
The 15-member Moroccan delegation, including government officials, importers, and a head of mission, is touring feedlots, cattle properties, and sheep farms.
They are also inspecting livestock export vessels and reviewing Australia’s animal welfare standards as they prepare to begin importing Australian livestock.
Morocco is prioritizing sheep imports, but existing protocols also allow for the export of cattle and goats by air.
Officials have indicated that shipments could begin before the northern summer moratorium in June, though the industry will assess risks before determining shipping timelines.
ALEC’s CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton called Morocco’s interest a significant opportunity for Australian farmers, criticizing the Albanese government’s ban on live sheep exports for jeopardizing jobs and global food security.
“What this shows is that there are still thriving markets that want and need Australian livestock,” Harvey-Sutton said. “Morocco needs to replenish its herds following a drought, and Australia, with its high-quality, disease-free status and reliable supply, is well positioned to assist.”
Head of the Moroccan delegation, Elachchabi Tawfik, noted the urgency of securing livestock supplies due to ongoing drought and supply shortages in nearby markets.
“Morocco is seeking to fill the need for red meat and must replenish its livestock,” Tawfik said. “The Australian market offers key advantages in health conditions, animal welfare, volume, and logistics, helping bridge the distance between the two countries.”
Tawfik confirmed that health agreements were finalized in late 2024, paving the way for sheep and cattle exports to begin soon and continue in the medium term.
Despite fluctuations in global demand, ALEC stated that sufficient shipping capacity is available to service Morocco’s market. An ALEC statement noted that Moroccan officials want Australian sheep exports to begin as soon as possible.
Rephrase in a different way as if you were a native American speaker as a content creation expert and do not talk about yourself or your experience in the text and do not show yourself as an artificial intelligence who wrote and fill the bullet point in the topic and speak the heart of the topic itself and dont take date of blog in ther first and dont take text like box of newsliter subscribe on post from content and romove all linke insert in content and and remove all affiliate disclosure phrases on content like this “This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links that allow us to earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our Disclosure Policy for more info” and “#” put in its place bullet point, and romove name of the web site or his links we are take a content from our new creation
