Ahmed Bouari, has said Morocco’s livestock sector contributes about 35 per cent to the country’s agricultural gross domestic product (GDP), the Minister of Agriculture.
Bouari disclosed this at a high-level international conference held during the International Agriculture Fair in Morocco, noting that animal production remains a critical pillar of the country’s agricultural economy.
He said the sector provides a major source of livelihood for nearly 1.2 million livestock breeders across the country.
According to him, a 2025 livestock census puts Morocco’s herd at about 33 million animals, including sheep, goats, cattle and camels, supporting significant output in meat and dairy production.
The minister said the country produces approximately 530,000 tonnes of red meat annually, alongside nearly two billion litres of milk.
He added that the poultry sector has also expanded, with annual production estimated at 784,000 tonnes of white meat and 6.5 billion eggs, meeting domestic consumption needs.
Bouari attributed the growth to sustained government investment under national agricultural strategies, which have improved productivity and strengthened value chains.
However, he noted that climate change has posed serious challenges, with Morocco experiencing a prolonged drought over the past seven years.
To mitigate the impact, the government introduced measures including the suspension of Eid al-Adha animal sacrifice last year on the directive of Mohammed VI, as well as restrictions on the slaughter of female livestock to support reproduction.
He also highlighted the positive impact of recent rainfall in easing drought conditions and boosting recovery efforts in the sector.
Bouari further said the government is prioritising improvements in cattle breeds for meat production, noting that beef accounts for about 80 per cent of national red meat consumption.
He added that Morocco is also expanding its camel breeding industry, particularly in the southern regions, due to its economic and social importance.
According to him, the camel sector contributes an estimated MAD225 million annually and generates about 2.7 million workdays.
