Morocco’s sardine canning industry faces crisis, threatening thousands of jobs

Morocco, the world leader in sardine canning, is grappling with an unprecedented crisis that endangers both its industrial foundations and the livelihoods of thousands of workers. The sector, which has long been a pillar of the national economy, is now under severe strain due to structural imbalances, declining fish stocks, and rising competition.

A critical economic pillar under threat

According to Anas Lamhandaz, Director General of the National Union of Fish Canning Industries (Unicop), Morocco’s sardine canning industry plays a vital role in the economy. It accounts for 11% of agro-food exports, 33% of seafood exports, and provides over 35,000 direct jobs and 120,000 indirect ones. The sector also supports national food security. However, it has been in decline for the past three years due to structural challenges that remain unaddressed.

The sector’s industrial capacity, bolstered by the 2009 Halieutis Plan, has grown to process nearly one million tons of sardines annually. Yet, sardine landings for canning have stagnated at around 250,000 tons, creating a significant shortfall. This imbalance, coupled with falling prices and shrinking profit margins, has placed immense pressure on operators, necessitating urgent reforms to ensure competitiveness and sustainability.

Declining activity and socio-economic fallout

The collapse of sardine stocks has halved processing operations over the last two years. This decline, combined with soaring production costs and fierce competition from Asian markets, has led to a 30% loss of market share in Africa, a key export destination.

The crisis has hit coastal cities hardest, where sardine canning is a socio-economic lifeline. Seasonal employment has declined by 35% to 50% since 2019, and reduced working hours have become the norm. This has destabilized local economies heavily reliant on fisheries, threatening long-term livelihoods.

Unicop calls for urgent reforms

In response to the crisis, Unicop is urging a comprehensive overhaul of the sector’s governance. Immediate measures are needed to stabilize industrial operations, secure jobs, and protect Morocco’s sardine resources.

Lamhandaz outlined a three-pronged strategy focused on preserving fish stocks, ensuring a stable supply of fresh fish to local markets, and safeguarding employment. This includes financial support from the government to help canneries weather the downturn.

Unicop has also proposed several emergency measures:

1- Strict regulation of small pelagic fish use, including:

- Prohibiting exports of small pelagic fish intended for processing.

- Banning the use of whole fish for fishmeal production.

- Limiting frozen fish exports.

2- Mechanisms to guarantee adequate sardine supplies for the canning industry after meeting domestic demand.

3- A moratorium on the establishment of new industrial units to prevent overcapacity given the current resource shortages.

A roadmap for sustainable recovery

Unicop is advocating for stronger sectoral governance to balance the competing demands of fresh, canned, frozen, and fishmeal industries. This approach prioritizes ecological sustainability, national food security, and industrial stability.

The organization also supports the sustainable management principles championed by Morocco’s National Institute of Fisheries Research and the Ministry of Fisheries. However, given the severity of the crisis, Unicop is calling for additional structural reforms to stabilize the sector.

Unicop has positioned itself as a key stakeholder in implementing solutions to safeguard employment, maintain industrial value-added within Morocco, and secure the future of coastal communities. It is urging the government to initiate a strategic dialogue with all stakeholders to develop a clear, coordinated recovery plan for the sardine canning industry.