Morocco’s poultry sector is experiencing one of its most difficult periods in recent years, with chicken and egg prices falling sharply due to record production levels and weakening consumer demand. Industry professionals warn that the current situation is causing substantial financial losses and threatens the long-term stability of the sector.
According to industry representatives, a significant increase in chick production over recent months has resulted in an unprecedented oversupply. The surplus coincided with the post-Eid al-Adha period, when Moroccan households traditionally consume less poultry because they rely on sacrificial meat. The decline in consumers’ purchasing power has further reduced demand.
Mohamed Amine Yaacoubi, a poultry professional, said that the imbalance between supply and demand has pushed market prices well below actual production costs, making it increasingly difficult for producers to remain profitable.
Mohamed Rafik, regional representative of the Professional Poultry Federation, revealed that weekly chick production reached around 15 million before Eid al-Adha. As a result, chick prices collapsed from about 10 dirhams to 1.5 dirhams, with prices in the informal market falling as low as 30 to 50 centimes.
Farm-gate prices for live chicken currently stand at around 11 dirhams per kilogram, while production costs range between 17 and 18 dirhams. Egg producers are facing similar difficulties, as retail prices have fallen below production costs, increasing financial pressure across the industry.
Professionals also noted that changing dietary habits among some consumers, including reduced poultry consumption through specific nutrition plans, have contributed slightly to weaker demand alongside broader economic factors.
Industry representatives warn that if the crisis continues, many farmers may reduce production or exit the market altogether. Such a scenario could eventually lead to supply shortages and sharp price increases once the current surplus disappears. They are therefore calling for measures to restore market balance and protect a sector that generates around 28 billion dirhams annually and provides employment for hundreds of thousands of people.