Morocco will halt exports of frozen sardines from February 1 to protect domestic supplies and contain prices, a cabinet member has said.
The official in charge of fisheries, Zakia Driouich, disclosed this on Wednesday, noting that sardines remain a staple food for Moroccan households. Morocco is the world’s leading exporter of sardines, supported by its long Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines.
Driouich told members of parliament that the decision was prompted by a noticeable drop in supply, although she did not specify how long the export ban would last.
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She explained that pelagic species such as sardines account for about 80 per cent of Morocco’s coastal fish resources, compared with 20 per cent for white fish.
The national canned sardine industry, UNICOP, had earlier urged authorities in June to clamp down on illegal fishing after reporting declining catches.
Official data show that Morocco’s sardine landings fell by 46 per cent in 2024 to about 525,000 metric tons.
NAN
