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Morocco notified G/SPS/N/MAR/89 on October 27, 2022. The notification concerns Morocco’s list and limits of food additives authorized for use in primary products and food products, as well as the information to be displayed on their packaging. Comments are due no later than December 25, 2022. An unofficial translation is included in this report.

Morocco notified G/SPS/N/MAR/87 on October 17, 2022. The notification concerns Morocco’s maximum limits of contaminants in food and food products. Comments are due no later than December 16, 2022. Note that the Government of Morocco approved the Joint Order and published it in the Official Bulletin #7136 on October 20, 2022. An unofficial translation is included in this report.

Morocco’s hotel, restaurant, and institutional industry (HRI) started to recover in 2022, reflecting an increase in tourism arrivals as COVID-19 travel restrictions ease. According to Ministry of Tourism reports, Morocco received 3.4 million foreign visitors at the end of the first half of 2022, a 300 percent year-on-year increase (compared to a 57 percent decline in 2021).

The Government of Morocco has released its final wheat and barley production numbers for the 2022 crop, including 1.89 MMT of common wheat, 0.81 MMT of durum wheat, and 0.7 MMT of barley. The MY2022/23 wheat and barley harvest was down 67 percent compared to previous season due to severe drought.

Morocco is a price-sensitive market that does not showcase significant quantities of U.S. food and beverages in the retail sector. In 2021, U.S. exports of consumer-oriented products to Morocco doubled, reaching $166 million. Post has identified limited volumes of U.S. seafood, chocolates, sauces, and spirits available on select Moroccan retail shelves.

Morocco is facing low wheat production in marketing year 2022/23 due to drought. The Ministry of Agriculture forecasts total wheat and barley production at 3.2 million metric tons, about 62 percent down from the previous year’s crop (10.2 million metric tons).

Post production estimates for tangerines/mandarins, oranges, lemons, and orange juice remain unchanged from the December 9, 2021 Annual Citrus Report. MY 2021/22 export figures are revised based on trade data.

Morocco notified G/SPS/N/MAR/85 on June 10, 2022. An unofficial translation is included in this report. Comments are due no later than August 9, 2022. The notification concerns plants, plant products and other objects.

Morocco notified G/SPS/N/MAR/56/Add.3 on June 16, 2022. The notification publishes the final version of the draft sanitary document for export to Morocco of plants and plant products as well as food products that are not subject to mandatory veterinary certification.

On June 2, 2022, the Government of Morocco suspended customs duties on sunflower, soybean, and rapeseed. This measure will take effect starting June 3, 2022 and continue until further notice. This decision is intended to protect citizens’ purchasing power in the face of rising global prices of various essential goods.

Morocco notified G/SPS/N/MAR/84 on May 12, 2022. An unofficial translation is included in this report. Comments are due no later than July 11, 2022. The notification concerns shelf life and storage temperature requirements for cheese and cheese products.

The 2022 crop season in Morocco is progressing under difficult conditions. Dry and hot weather during January and February has driven production to record lows, especially in southern Morocco.