Rising imports and falling output raise concern among farmers and policymakers.

MOROCCO – Morocco has launched a safeguard investigation into rising rice imports as local producers face growing pressure from foreign supply and past climate shocks.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade opened the probe on April 13, following a formal notification to the World Trade Organization. Authorities want to assess whether the increase in imports has harmed or could harm the domestic rice sector.

If the review confirms this risk, Morocco may apply temporary measures such as higher duties or import limits.

The investigation will focus on white and parboiled rice, while excluding aromatic varieties like basmati. Importers, exporters and other stakeholders must submit their views by mid May 2026.

Data shows a sharp rise in imports over recent years. Morocco imported 54,980 tons of rice in 2022. This figure reached 118,843 tons in 2025, marking a 116 percent increase in three years. Local growers say they struggle to compete with this volume, especially after several weak harvests.

The sector also faced a long dry period that lasted seven years and only eased in early 2026. This drought cut planting areas and reduced yields. Rice fields, which usually cover 8,000 to 9,000 hectares, shrank by about 85 percent during the 2023 to 2024 season due to low rainfall.

As a result, output dropped sharply. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization, Morocco’s rice harvest fell from 65,700 tons in 2020 to 6,006 tons in 2024. This represents a decline of more than 90 percent over five years.

Despite its smaller role compared to wheat and barley, rice remains important for food supply and rural incomes. Around 2,500 farmers depend on the crop, and the sector generates about 1.5 million working days each year.

The safeguard review could last up to nine months, with a possible extension to one year. This process comes at a time when Morocco expects a stronger cereal harvest in the 2025 to 2026 season due to better weather. Officials see the rice sector as part of a wider effort to reduce reliance on imports and manage risks linked to global price swings.

The outcome of the investigation will shape how Morocco balances support for local farmers with the need to secure stable food supplies.

Published Date: April 21, 2026