Moroccan cattle importers are struggling with high shipping costs and a shortage of vessels as they attempt to bring in around 40,000 Brazilian and other foreign cattle this month to ease rising meat prices, reported Morocco's Hespress.
Hicham Jouabri, regional secretary of red meat traders in Casablanca, said the lack of ships capable of transporting large herds from Brazil has disrupted import plans. Some importers had aimed to bring in up to 50,000 heads of cattle in September.
Jouabri noted that although the volume of imports may fall short of expectations, it could still help stabilise prices. Wholesale red meat currently starts at MAD70 (US$7.76) per kilogram, while imported beef retails at about MAD90.
Brazilian cattle are increasingly preferred due to lower costs compared to domestic livestock. However, consumer advocates argue that retail prices remain unjustifiably high and are placing pressure on household budgets.
Abdelkrim Chafii, vice president of the moroccan Consumer Protection Association, criticised traders for excessive price hikes driven by profit motives. He said the market has sufficient cattle stock and called for tighter oversight to protect consumers.
SeaNews Turkey
Hicham Jouabri, regional secretary of red meat traders in Casablanca, said the lack of ships capable of transporting large herds from Brazil has disrupted import plans. Some importers had aimed to bring in up to 50,000 heads of cattle in September.
Jouabri noted that although the volume of imports may fall short of expectations, it could still help stabilise prices. Wholesale red meat currently starts at MAD70 (US$7.76) per kilogram, while imported beef retails at about MAD90.
Brazilian cattle are increasingly preferred due to lower costs compared to domestic livestock. However, consumer advocates argue that retail prices remain unjustifiably high and are placing pressure on household budgets.
Abdelkrim Chafii, vice president of the moroccan Consumer Protection Association, criticised traders for excessive price hikes driven by profit motives. He said the market has sufficient cattle stock and called for tighter oversight to protect consumers.
SeaNews Turkey
