Classification
Product TypeByproduct
Product FormDry meal or pellets
Industry PositionOilseed crushing co-product (animal feed protein ingredient)
Market
Defatted soybean meal (HS 230400) in Morocco is primarily an imported feed input used by compound feed manufacturers, especially for poultry and other livestock rations. UN Comtrade data via the World Bank WITS platform indicates Morocco is a net importer with negligible exports, and imports were sourced mainly from the United States and Argentina in 2022–2023. Quality acceptance in the Moroccan feed market is closely tied to protein content and processing indicators (e.g., urease activity and KOH solubility) as reflected in analyses of imported soybean meal used in Moroccan poultry feed. Trade flows are sensitive to seaport operations at major entry points (e.g., Casablanca and Jorf Lasfar), where weather-related disruptions have been reported to affect feed input availability.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent animal feed input)
Domestic RoleCore protein meal used in domestic compound feed formulations for poultry and other livestock sectors
Market GrowthGrowing (2019–2023 (import trend, HS 230400))import value increased over 2019–2023
SeasonalityImport availability is generally year-round, with operational peaks and disruptions driven more by shipping schedules and port throughput than agricultural seasonality.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Traded as oilcake/solid residues from soybean oil extraction, whether ground into meal or in pellet form (HS 230400 description).
- Moisture levels around ~10–11% were reported in analyses of imported soybean meal used in Moroccan poultry feed (USA/Argentina samples, 2019–2021).
Compositional Metrics- Crude protein around ~46–47% was reported in analyses of imported soybean meal used in Moroccan poultry feed (USA/Argentina samples, 2019–2021).
- Reported parameters for imported soybean meal used in Moroccan poultry feed include crude fat (~2%), crude fiber (~3–4%), and ash (~6–7%) for Argentine-origin samples (2019–2021), with comparable protein levels across U.S. and Argentine origins.
Grades- Processing/quality indicators used for soybean meal include urease activity, KOH protein solubility, and protein dispersibility index (PDI), which help assess heat treatment adequacy for feed use.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin crushing plant (exporting country) → bulk ocean shipment → Moroccan port unloading (e.g., Casablanca, Jorf Lasfar) → storage/silos → domestic feed mill formulation → distribution to poultry/livestock farms
Temperature- Not typically cold-chain dependent; quality preservation focuses on keeping product dry and preventing moisture uptake during maritime transport and storage.
Atmosphere Control- Condensation and poor ventilation in holds/warehouses can increase mold and mycotoxin risk; moisture management and ventilation are critical during storage and handling.
Shelf Life- Shelf-life and usability depend strongly on moisture control and contamination prevention; handling and storage conditions can affect mycotoxin risk and acceptance at import control.
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Logistics HighSevere weather and operational disruption at key Moroccan ports (including Casablanca and Jorf Lasfar) can delay unloading of imported feed inputs and trigger short-term shortages for feed mills and poultry supply chains, disrupting procurement schedules for soybean meal imports.Diversify discharge options across ports where feasible; maintain safety stock at feed mills; use arrival scheduling and demurrage planning; contract contingency storage and alternative suppliers/origins.
Food Safety MediumLots can face delays, additional testing, or rejection if ONSSA controls identify non-compliance or contamination risks; soybean meal quality and safety concerns include moisture management and mycotoxin-related risks that can affect feed safety and usability.Align supplier specs and documentation with ONSSA requirements; implement pre-shipment testing and certificates (as applicable); ensure moisture-controlled transport and storage; perform inbound quality checks (protein, urease, KOH solubility, mycotoxins as relevant).
Documentation Gap MediumIncomplete or inconsistent import dossiers (e.g., missing health certificate where applicable, origin documentation, or transport paperwork) can cause clearance delays at ONSSA single windows and border inspection posts.Use a pre-arrival document checklist aligned to ONSSA’s stated dossier components; validate document consistency with customs declarations, invoices, and bills of lading before vessel arrival.
Sustainability MediumSoy supply chains are widely associated with deforestation and ecosystem conversion risk; downstream customers or financiers may require evidence of responsible sourcing or deforestation-risk screening for soy-derived feed inputs.Implement origin transparency and supplier due diligence for soy meal (country/region where available); consider third-party deforestation-risk tools and responsible-soy sourcing policies; document supplier commitments and chain-of-custody evidence when requested.
Sustainability- Deforestation and land-conversion risk in upstream soy supply chains (notably South American production regions) can create ESG and buyer-driven sourcing constraints for soy-derived feed inputs.
- Greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity impacts associated with soy expansion are a recurring scrutiny theme in sustainability risk assessments.
Labor & Social- Buyer and lender ESG screening may extend to upstream agricultural land-use and rights issues in exporting origins; supplier transparency is often expected for high-volume imported feed inputs.
FAQ
What HS code is commonly used for defatted soybean meal imports into Morocco?It is commonly classified under HS 230400 (“oil-cake and other solid residues, of soya-bean”) in UN Comtrade trade statistics and the World Bank WITS presentation for Morocco.
Which supplier countries dominated Morocco’s soybean meal imports in the latest available UN Comtrade (WITS) data?In 2023 UN Comtrade data via World Bank WITS, Morocco’s HS 230400 imports were mainly sourced from the United States and Argentina, with smaller volumes from Brazil.
Which documents and steps are typically involved in ONSSA import control for animal feed entering Morocco?ONSSA describes an import control dossier that commonly includes a request for control, a health certificate where required, certificate of origin, customs declaration, invoice, packing list, and bill of lading, followed by document checks, identity/physical checks, and laboratory analysis when needed.