Trade defense: Launch of a safeguard investigation into rice imports

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has received a request from the companies MLAH MECHICH ALAMI and MUNDIRIZ, in which they call for the application of a safeguard measure on rice imports. The product concerned includes the different categories of rice intended for direct human consumption and competing on the Moroccan market, namely white rice and parboiled rice (yellow rice).

It should be noted that these two companies act on behalf of national production and represent 78% of it.

According to the information currently available to the Ministry, rice imports increased from 54,980 tons in 2022 to 118,843 tons in 2025, representing a rise of 116%. Relative to national production, the share of these imports rose from 139.73% in 2022 to 807.22% in 2025.

This sharp increase in imports appears to be the result of unforeseen developments that led exporting producers to redirect their exports to Morocco. This situation is reportedly due to the emergence of surplus supply on the global rice market, the easing or lifting of certain export restrictions in several producing countries, as well as disruptions affecting the functioning of international markets.

The request also provided sufficient evidence demonstrating the existence of serious injury suffered by the national rice production sector as a result of the significant increase in imports of the product concerned.

After review, the Ministry concluded that the request is admissible and that the information and data it contains are objective, well-documented, and sufficient to justify the initiation of a safeguard investigation into rice imports.

Accordingly, following the opinion of the Import Surveillance Commission, which met on Thursday, March 26, 2026, the Ministry decided to open a safeguard investigation into rice imports, effective April 13.