DR ‹ › Australia has failed to export any live sheep to Morocco, despite Rabat requesting 100,000 animals per year when market access was opened in early 2025. One year on, no shipments have taken place between the two countries, according to local media. The Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) had welcomed Morocco's request at the time, citing the country's need to rebuild its herds after years of drought and highlighting Australia's disease-free status. However, ALEC chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton told media that no commercial agreement was ultimately reached, pointing to distance and high transport costs as key obstacles. While interest from Moroccan importers remains sporadic, Harvey-Sutton said exports could still materialise in the future, noting that Morocco sources livestock from multiple regions, including Spain and South America. Morocco's interest in Australian sheep became more concrete in February 2025, when a 15-member delegation visited Western Australia to explore potential livestock imports. Hosted by ALEC, the delegation expressed interest in importing 100,000 sheep, with the possibility of expanding volumes. The move came ahead of last year's Eid Al-Adha, which was cancelled in an effort to replenish livestock herds affected by a seven-year drought. This year, however, improved rainfall has changed prospects, as Morocco has officially declared the end of the prolonged drought.
