Morocco announces urgent measures regarding rice imports
Morocco will import 118,800 tons of rice in 2025
The Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade has opened a precautionary investigation into Morocco’s imports of various types of rice intended for local human consumption and competing in the country’s market, including white and steamed “yellow” rice.
According to what was published by Moroccan media, the investigation came after a letter from two companies representing 78% of the total Moroccan production, in which they requested the application of a protective measure on rice imports, in accordance with the requirements of the law relating to trade protection measures.
The investigation targets the imported product under the Moroccan customs codes “1006.30.90.00” and ”1006.30.10.00“, while it does not include some special types, including aromatic rice ”such as basmati rice and the like”, according to the Moroccan newspaper Hespress.
Disruptions in the functioning of international markets
The Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade explained that this intense increase in imports is due to the emergence of a surplus in the global rice market, the easing or removal of some export restrictions in many producing countries, as well as the disruptions that affected the functioning of international markets.
She added that the companies’ letter provided sufficient evidence to prove that serious damage had been done to the Moroccan production sector as a result of the intensive increase in rice imports, noting the need to complete this investigation within 9 months from the date it was opened, with the possibility of extending it to 12 months if there are special circumstances that justify this.
Morocco's rice imports rise
Morocco’s rice imports rose from 54.9 thousand tons in 2022 to 118.8 thousand tons during 2025, an increase of 116%.
These imports have seen a relative increase compared to Moroccan production, especially after they rose from 139.7% in 2022 to 807.2% in 2025.
The Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that this surge in imports resulted from an unexpected development in circumstances, which led exporting producers to divert their exports towards Morocco, explaining that it was also due to the emergence of a surplus in the global rice market.
