Photo: Agence Nationale pour le Développement de l'Aquaculture (ANDA)

Morocco's Aquaculture Sector Flourishes, Targeting 71,000 Tonnes Annually

MOROCCO
Friday, July 11, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

With 183 operational farms and 64 new projects underway, Morocco's aquaculture industry is rapidly expanding, driven by private investment and strategic government support aimed at enhancing production, processing, and competitiveness.

RABAT – Morocco's aquaculture sector is experiencing robust growth, positioning the country as a leader in sustainable and competitive aquaculture development. At the 25th session of the Board of Directors of the National Agency for the Development of Aquaculture (ANDA), held on Tuesday, July 8, in Rabat, figures revealed the sector's impressive progress and significant potential.

Chaired by Ms. Zakia Driouich, Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, in charge of Maritime Fisheries, the meeting highlighted aquaculture's strategic role as a key driver for economic growth, competitiveness, and job creation within the fisheries economy. Ms. Driouich praised the advancements, noting that aquaculture is now a booming sector delivering added value and inclusion.

Current Production and Future Expansion

Currently, 183 aquaculture farms are operational across Morocco, collectively targeting an annual production of approximately 71,000 tonnes. This figure underscores the progress made and the sector's substantial national potential.

Furthermore, 64 additional aquaculture projects are in the equipment acquisition phase, poised to add nearly 16,000 tonnes to the annual production capacity. This sustained expansion is increasingly powered by private operators who now control various links across the value chain.

Strengthening the Value Chain: Hatcheries and Processing

The sector's growth is supported by a gradual structuring of infrastructure and targeted financial backing, particularly aimed at strengthening upstream activities through the development of national hatcheries. Currently, three hatcheries are in operation, with two new units under installation. These additions will significantly boost the national production of "seed" (young fish/shellfish), a strategic input vital for aquaculture development.

Downstream, 13 new aquaculture product packaging and processing units are now operational. These facilities play a central role in transforming and marketing aquaculture products, further bolstering the growth of this economically promising sector.

Financial Support and Competitiveness Measures

To enhance competitiveness, the 2024 Finance Act extended the tariff quota for aquaculture feed imports, reducing the customs duty to 2.5% until 2026. This measure aims to lower input costs and stimulate sector performance.

Moreover, the sector benefits from two financing programs from the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank, which will collectively mobilize over 24 million dirhams.

These tangible results illustrate the broad scope of actions deployed under Morocco's "Halieutis strategy," which focuses on operational efficiency and performance. The Board of Directors validated ANDA's activity report and examined its financial accounts for the 2024 fiscal year, which were certified without reservation by the auditor, confirming the agency's rigorous and transparent management.

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