Morocco Launches Safeguard Probe as Rice Imports Surge
The Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade has officially launched a safeguard investigation into rice imports, effective April 13, 2026. The move comes in response to a dramatic spike in foreign rice entering the domestic market, which officials say is threatening the stability of national production.
The investigation was triggered by a formal request from two major industry players, MLAH MECHICH ALAMI and MUNDIRIZ. Together, these companies account for 78% of Morocco’s national rice production. The request highlights a critical imbalance in the market, specifically regarding white and parboiled (yellow) rice intended for direct human consumption.
Data provided to the Ministry reveals a staggering increase in import volumes. Between 2022 and 2025, rice imports climbed from 54,980 tonnes to 118,843 tonnes—a 116% increase. This surge has fundamentally shifted the market landscape; while imports represented 139.73% of national production in 2022, that figure skyrocketed to 807.22% by 2025.
This shift underscores a growing vulnerability for local farmers, as the domestic market now absorbs several times more imported rice than is produced locally.
According to the Ministry, this influx is largely the result of unforeseen global circumstances. Factors contributing to the surge include an oversupply of rice on the world market, the removal or easing of export restrictions in several producing countries, and general disruptions in international trade circuits. These conditions have led exporters to divert their shipments toward the Moroccan market.
The Ministry concluded that the evidence provided by the domestic producers was objective and sufficient to prove that the national rice industry has suffered “serious injury” due to these import levels. The request was deemed admissible, leading to the issuance of public notice n° DDC/04/2026.
The case highlights the challenges facing Morocco’s agricultural sector as it attempts to balance open trade with the protection of vital domestic industries against volatile global market swings.
