Europe blocks Brazilian meat, Morocco buys it and Spain loses its market
Brazilian meat blocked by the European Union has found a new outlet in Morocco. This redirection is hurting Spanish farmers, who have already lost a Moroccan market that absorbed more than 60 000 cattle in 2024.
“Brazil can no longer sell meat in Spain, but it is flooding the Moroccan market, which was one of our main customers,” explains José María García Álvarez-Coque, professor at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, in La Voz de Galicia.
European imports of beef and poultry from Brazil have been suspended since 3 September. The measure stems from European requirements concerning the use of antimicrobial medicines in livestock farming.
On Bladi.net : Moroccan Consumers Shun Brazilian Beef Amid Import Controversy
Brazilian exporters are now turning to other outlets, including Morocco. Brazil was already familiar with this market: in 2023, the kingdom had ordered thousands of Brazilian cattle in an attempt to bring down meat prices.
Brazil takes the place left by Spain
This offensive comes at the worst possible time for Spanish farmers. Morocco closed its market to live cattle from Spain after the emergence of lumpy skin disease. The kingdom had nevertheless become their main foreign outlet, with 61 715 animals shipped in 2024.
The loss of this customer contributed, according to Spanish industry professionals, to the decline in livestock prices in their country. At the same time, Brazil is occupying the space left open with abundant production and competitive prices.
The Moroccan market is all the more attractive because Rabat is seeking to increase imports to contain prices. In July, the government thus scrapped customs duties on several categories of livestock and meat.
On Bladi.net : Morocco’s Meat Market Stabilizes: Prices Hold Steady Despite Global Pressures
Spanish farmers are therefore suffering a double shock: they can no longer sell their cattle in Morocco, while Brazilian meat excluded from the European market is gaining ground in the kingdom.
European restrictions have not halted Brazilian sales. They have redirected part of the flows toward Morocco, changing a market in which Spain had until now held a dominant position.