2004 a good year for the Moroccan canned sardine industry

Sardines, (Sardina pilchardus), represent more than 62% of Moroccan fish landings and account for 91% of raw material usage in the domestic canning industry. Some 600 000 tonnes of fresh sardines are processed each year by the industry.
The Moroccan industry is the largest canned sardine exporter in the world and, notwithstanding initial delays, the local industry is now modernizing domestic operations to bring them into line with international standards. This development is the result of joint efforts by both public and private sectors in the country.

Based on the January September period, landings for 2004 as a whole should be in line with those for 2003. In volume terms, landings were up 1.4% during the first nine months of this year compared to the same period in 2003. The value of landings, however, was down 1.8%. Most of these landings were destined for the canning sector with just a small proportion going for freezing.

Not surprisingly, canned product dominates Moroccan sardine exports. Last year, canned sardines accounted for almost 80% of total sardine exports in volume terms (89% in value terms). Figures for the first half of this year suggest that the canned segment will be more important for 2004. possibly reaching 90% of total sardine exports. Frozen head off sardines constitute the second largest export segment although volumes are likely to be down this year compared to 2003.

The European market remains the principal outlet for Moroccan canned sardines accounting for around 44% of total volumes. The African region is in second position with some 39% of exports followed by the Middle East (13%) and the American continent (4%). Syria and France were the main markets for Moroccan canned sardine exports during the first seven months of 2004 with volumes of over 5 000 tonnes each. At €11 million, France is by far the main destination for Moroccan exports in value terms. Total exports came to 57 000 tonnes (€106 million) for the January – July period.

France remains a key European market for sardine products.

Canned imports this year are showing a positive trend with volumes up 9%, to over 8 000 tonnes, during the first six months compared to the same period last year. In value terms French imports are up 7%, to €22.2 million. Morocco has once again consolidated its number one position among suppliers with its share of imports increasing from 62% last year to 72% this year in volume terms and from 50% in value terms in 2003 to 61%. The increase in the Moroccan import share has been at the expense of other suppliers notable Portugal and Spain whose exports in both volume and value terms have fallen this year.

French frozen sardine imports, in contrast, are stable this year with volumes for the first half of the year just under 3 000 tonnes. Reflecting the decline in Moroccan sardine landings, French imports from Morocco are down 12% to less than a thousand tonnes for the first six months compared with the same period last year.

Outlook

African and Middle East markets represent a significant potential for the Moroccan canned sardine industry. These markets are likely to be increasingly important in the context of a strategic objective set by the Minister of Fisheries to reach €310 million in exports by 2007. The strategy involves an average annual export growth of 15% over the period. Industry operators believe that the strategy will help accelerate the modernization of the industry.

Mouhcine ZARKI
© 2004 INFOSAMAK