Morocco is facing an unprecedented crisis in chicken prices, a staple food for its growing population. Chicken meat has become one of the most widely consumed foods in Morocco, historically serving as a more affordable alternative to red meat, whose price exceeds €25 per kilogram. Per capita chicken consumption grew significantly by 11.1% between 2010 and 2020, reaching 19 kilograms per person per year. This high demand underscores the crucial importance of chicken in Moroccan household diets.
In recent times, however, chicken prices have surged, having exceeded €6.50 per kilogram. This price escalation is due to a combination of various interrelated factors. Firstly, production costs have risen considerably, driven by higher feed costs and the price of day-old chicks.
The price paid by poultry farmers for day-old chicks has tripled, far exceeding the price of the same chick in any European country
The president of the National Association of Poultry Meat Producers (APV), Mustapha Mountassir, stated that the price of day-old chicks has risen from 4.5 dirhams (€0.43) to nearly 13 dirhams (€1.23), describing it as “enormous” and “a first in Morocco”.
For years, chicken has represented an accessible alternative for Moroccan consumers compared to red meat, but it is now facing unprecedented prices»
Secondly, adverse weather conditions, such as intense heat, have negatively impacted poultry production, causing higher chick mortality. Thirdly, the existence of a lengthy intermediary chain inflates costs before products reach consumers. Finally, growing domestic demand, exacerbated by rising red meat prices that push consumers towards chicken, is also putting upward pressure on prices.
The price of day-old chicks has risen from 4.5 dirhams (€0.43) to nearly 13 dirhams (€1.23). It is enormous. In fact, it is unprecedented in Morocco. Chick prices have never reached these levels before
This situation has generated significant public discontent, giving rise to boycott campaigns under slogans such as “Let it crow” and “Let it rot”. The Moroccan Organisation for Human Rights and the Fight against Corruption has expressed concern over the government’s capacity to address these growing economic and social challenges, warning of a possible increase in social unrest if swift and effective measures are not taken. The organisation has also criticised government measures as inconsistent and insufficient to address the underlying problems, and has called for urgent action to protect consumers and support producers.
For many households, chicken has long been a more affordable alternative to red meat… However, with recent price increases, many families are finding it increasingly difficult to meet their basic nutritional needs
Reducing the role of intermediaries, internationalisation and production efficiency are key to bringing chicken prices back down in Morocco
In response to this crisis, the APV is exploring new supply options on the international market to ensure stable procurement and regulate the domestic market. The association has proposed to the government adding the United States and the United Kingdom to its list of suppliers of broiler breeder stock, as Morocco currently relies heavily on imports from Spain and France.
Although this measure could help stabilise the market, it is expected to increase the import bill, which already reached $24 million in 2023. Furthermore, the APV has hinted at a possible collaboration agreement with a US company specialising in poultry genetics, to invest in Morocco’s poultry sector and improve local production. Experts suggest that reducing the influence of intermediaries, stabilising production costs and providing targeted financial assistance to low-income families and small-scale producers could help alleviate the crisis.
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-. Analysis of the poultry sector in Morocco: