Soaring poultry feed costs drive Morocco’s chicken price crisis

MOROCCO – Morocco is witnessing a sharp rise in poultry prices, with chicken now exceeding 26 dirhams (US$2.6) per kilogram, intensifying economic hardship for families nationwide. 

The spike has been fueled by soaring poultry feed costs, which account for a significant portion of production expenses, leaving producers and consumers grappling with the fallout.  

Poultry, long considered an affordable alternative to red meat, is slipping out of reach for many households as red meat prices hover above 100 dirhams (US$10) per kilogram. 

Rising costs of feed ingredients such as maize and soybean, compounded by global supply chain disruptions, have driven up chicken feed prices. 

Burdened by these input costs, small-scale producers are struggling to keep up, forcing higher retail prices onto consumers.  

The Moroccan Organization for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption has raised concerns about the social and economic ramifications of the crisis. 

In a strongly worded statement, the organisation criticised the government’s response as inadequate and warned of mounting public anger if immediate action is not taken. 

“The unchecked rise in living costs is becoming unbearable for Moroccan families, and the government’s confused policies are failing to address the root causes of this crisis,” the organisation stated.  

Efforts to subsidise essential goods and boost purchasing power have yet to yield significant relief. Critics argue that these measures are reactive, offering temporary solutions without addressing underlying issues such as inefficiencies in the supply chain. 

The prevalence of intermediaries, who inflate costs at various distribution stages, has further compounded the crisis.  

Adding to the challenge are unfavourable weather conditions, including extreme heat, which have disrupted poultry production and reduced output. 

These factors and rising feed prices have created a perfect storm, driving up costs across the board.  

Boycott campaigns erupt in response

In response, frustrated consumers have launched boycott campaigns with slogans such as “Let it crow” and “Let it rot,” pressuring traders and policymakers to stabilise prices. 

While these movements highlight the depth of public dissatisfaction, they have yet to spur significant change.  

For low-income families, the rising cost of chicken is part of a broader economic struggle. Inflation has tightened budgets, with households facing higher prices for basic goods and stagnant wages.

The government is under growing pressure to implement targeted measures to support vulnerable families and stabilise poultry production costs.  

Experts suggest reducing the influence of intermediaries in the supply chain and offering direct assistance to poultry farmers as potential solutions.

Additionally, investments in local feed production could help mitigate the impact of global price volatility on Morocco’s poultry sector. 

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