Scotland to become key dairy supplier to Morocco

MOROCCO – Morocco is set to diversify its dairy supply chain, with Scotland aiming to enter the North African market by mid-2025.

Persistent drought over the past six years has weakened Morocco’s agricultural productivity, driving the need for increased dairy imports to sustain domestic demand.

Paul Grant, chairman of the Scottish Dairy Growth Board, announced plans on November 13 to begin shipping pasteurized fresh milk to Morocco, marking a significant step in Scotland’s efforts to tap into the North African market.

Negotiations are progressing with Morocco’s largest agricultural and agri-food company. Grant emphasized the strategic nature of these talks, revealing that Moroccan officials visited Scotland in July to explore potential partnerships.

Reciprocal visits in November aim to finalize agreements that could position Scotland to ship over £150 million (US$189.7 million) worth of pasteurized milk annually by 2030.

This partnership comes at a critical time for Morocco, where the dairy industry faces significant challenges. According to Maroc Lait, milk production has plummeted by 25% since 2020, dropping below 2 million tonnes.

The sector, previously producing around 2.5 million tonnes annually, now struggles to maintain stability, affecting both formal processing plants and informal markets.

Rising feed costs and a prolonged drought have exacerbated these issues, leaving Morocco increasingly dependent on foreign imports to meet its dairy needs.

In 2023 alone, Morocco imported over US$406 million worth of milk and dairy products, primarily from European suppliers such as the Netherlands, France, Poland, Belgium, and Ireland.

The potential partnership with Scotland offers Morocco an opportunity to diversify its supply sources and mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on any single market.

Government and industry stakeholders are actively addressing these challenges. Earlier this year, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Mohammed Sadiki, spearheaded discussions focused on bolstering the dairy and red meat sectors. K

ey measures include subsidizing livestock feed, streamlining animal feed imports, and introducing new livestock regulations to enhance productivity.

Sadiki stressed the importance of collaboration with professional federations to maintain a steady supply of essential food products and ensure national food sovereignty.

Efforts to strengthen Morocco’s dairy infrastructure also include promoting resilient forage crops, such as sorghum, and regulating artificial insemination practices.

Additionally, initiatives are underway to boost high-yield mixed breeds and protect female livestock, crucial for sustaining future productivity.

The processing industry, dominated by companies like Danone, relies heavily on cooperatives to collect and deliver milk. However, challenges persist in ensuring consistent milk quality and incentivizing small-scale farmers.

Rachid El Khattate, president of Maroc Lait, emphasized the federation’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s 400,000 dairy farmers, noting that only 40,000 farms operate at a semi-professional level.