Sardines play a critical role in Morocco’s food system.

Morocco, recognised globally as one of the leading producers and exporters of sardines, has announced a major policy shift that will reshape its fisheries and seafood trade landscape.

From 1 February 2026, the country will ban the export of frozen sardines, a move aimed at safeguarding domestic supply, easing pressure on household food budgets, and restoring balance in national fish markets. The decision was confirmed by Zakia Driouich, Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries, who described the measure as necessary to address growing supply constraints.

The policy change comes amid a marked decline in sardine landings in recent years. Data from the National Fisheries Office (ONP) shows that catches fell by almost 46 per cent between 2022 and 2024, dropping from roughly 965,000 tonnes to about 525,000 tonnes. This contraction has intensified competition for available fish, pushing up prices and reducing availability across several regions during 2025. As a result, authorities have been under mounting pressure to intervene.

Sardines play a critical role in Morocco’s food system, serving as a low-cost, nutrient-rich protein source for millions of people, particularly those in low- and middle-income households. They account for an estimated 80 per cent of the country’s small pelagic fish stocks, making them central to both food security and the wider fisheries economy. However, rising domestic demand, coupled with climate variability, environmental stress and prolonged overfishing, has placed these resources under significant strain. The export ban is therefore intended to rebalance supply and demand while ensuring consistent access for local consumers.

Another key objective of the export suspension is to limit price volatility, especially during periods of peak consumption such as Ramadan, when demand for sardines traditionally increases. While Moroccan authorities have reiterated that fish prices are influenced by market forces, they have also stepped up efforts to tackle speculation, illegal fishing, and unfair trading practices that contribute to inflated retail prices.

Although no fixed end date has been announced, the policy has sparked debate within the seafood industry about the trade-off between domestic food security and export-driven revenue growth. Despite the freeze on frozen sardine exports, Morocco remains a major global seafood exporter, supplying markets across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Alongside the ban, the government is advancing wider reforms focused on sustainable fisheries management, including stronger monitoring systems, improved coastal planning, and tougher action against illegal fishing. Together, these measures signal a long-term strategy to protect marine ecosystems while reinforcing national food security.

Tanzania’s Kagera region is stepping up efforts to attract investment into dairy and beef production as part of a wider strategy to unlock its vast livestock potential and respond to rapidly growing demand for animal protein at both national and regional levels.

The renewed push was articulated by the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Bashiru Ally, during a working visit to a Farmers’ Field School in Muleba district.

Dr Ally underscored the importance of scaling up the production of high-quality animal feed, describing it as a critical driver for increasing milk and meat output. He pointed to Kagera’s strong natural advantages, including abundant pasture, reliable water resources and a strategic location within the Great Lakes region, positioning the area as a prime destination for commercial livestock investment.

Highlighting opportunities beyond traditional smallholder systems, the minister said targeted investments in productivity, modern technology and supporting infrastructure could significantly boost returns across the dairy and beef value chains. “Kagera region has a good climate that can be a source of quality beef and ranching,” he stated, noting that the presence of existing commercial ranches offers a solid foundation for public–private partnerships to enhance efficiency and scale.

The minister also encouraged farmers to embrace modern dairy production models, cautioning against maintaining large herds of low-yield cattle. Instead, he advocated for productivity-focused systems that improve profitability, food security and household incomes. The dairy sector, he noted, is central to Tanzania’s broader goals of industrialisation, nutrition improvement and inclusive economic growth.

Official projections indicate that Tanzania’s demand for meat could triple by 2030, driven by population growth, urbanisation and rising incomes across Africa. Current livestock supply, however, remains inadequate, underscoring the need for significant investment in ranches, feedlots, abattoirs, meat processing facilities and tanneries. Despite recent export gains, Tanzania recorded meat exports of just 14,000 metric tonnes in 2024, far below the national target of 50,000 metric tonnes.

To address these gaps, Kagera authorities have earmarked about 66,215 hectares under the Mwisa II Project for dairy industry development. Investors are being encouraged to establish milk, beef and hides processing plants, leveraging the region’s extensive pastureland and infrastructure, including five National Ranching Company (NARCO) ranches. Despite its livestock resources, Kagera currently contributes only 7.6 per cent to Tanzania’s GDP, highlighting significant untapped potential for agribusiness-led growth.

Livestock Ministry supports women and youth in development agenda.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is scaling up strategic efforts to reposition Nigeria’s livestock sector by placing women and youths at the centre of sustainability, innovation and value-chain competitiveness.

This policy direction was underscored at the Capacity Building Workshop for Women and Youths in the Livestock Value Chain, held in Abuja from Monday, December 29 to Tuesday, December 30, 2025.

Addressing participants at the workshop, the Director, Technical, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Peter Alike, emphasised that the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock industry depends on the deliberate integration of sustainable and innovative practices across production, processing and marketing. He noted that adopting this approach is vital for unlocking the sector’s economic potential, strengthening food security and driving inclusive economic growth.

Peter explained that equipping women and youths with relevant skills and technical knowledge remains a core priority of the Ministry, given their growing influence in agribusiness development and rural livelihoods. According to him, the capacity-building initiative is designed as a continuous, hands-on programme focused on practical solutions that participants can immediately deploy within their farms and livestock enterprises.

He added that the training strongly promotes mindset change, actionable expertise and long-term competence development, with an emphasis on environmentally responsible and economically viable livestock systems. Peter further stated that the strategic importance of women and youths informed their recognition as a priority group under the ten pillars of the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), the Ministry’s flagship framework for comprehensive sector reform.

Speaking on sustainable livestock production, animal scientist  Ifeanyi Harry Njoagwuani described sustainability as a science-based and management-driven process. He highlighted climate-resilient breeds, improved genetics, precision nutrition through optimised feed formulations and climate-smart housing systems as essential tools for building resilient livestock systems.

In another session, Ayoade Akande stressed the importance of biogas production in sustainable livestock development. He called for strengthened extension services, increased private sector investment in modern feed technologies, expanded forage seed distribution networks and supportive policy frameworks to enhance sustainable ruminant nutrition.

In his closing remarks, the Director of Livestock Extension and Business Development, Joseph Ako Eleojo, urged participants to form cooperative alliances and act as change agents within their communities, noting that women and youths were deliberately targeted for their capacity to drive innovation, productivity and sustainability.

A major highlight of the two-day workshop was a study visit to De-Dre Solution Poultry Farm in Pasali 2, Kuje Area Council, Federal Capital Territory. With a capacity of 24,800 birds and daily output of about 650 crates of eggs, the facility offered participants valuable insights into efficient and sustainable poultry production. Participants were drawn from poultry and ruminant enterprises across several states of the federation.

ASF is one of the most serious diseases affecting pigs globally, with severe economic consequences for producers.

UK pig producers are being strongly advised to review their biosecurity strategies and disease contingency plans following new outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Spain.

While the immediate threat level to the UK has not changed, industry experts warn that the evolving ASF situation across Europe is a clear reminder of the need for constant preparedness.

Julian Sparrey, group technical director at Livetec Systems, said, “The cases in Spain are part of the ongoing ASF situation across Europe. They highlight the potential impact an outbreak could have here, and why producers must stay one step ahead of ASF and other disease threats.”

ASF is one of the most serious diseases affecting pigs globally, with severe economic consequences for producers. If the virus were detected in the UK, pig farms within designated restriction zones could face at least 40 days with no pig movements. Sparrey emphasises that producers must fully understand how such restrictions would affect pig flow, housing capacity, staffing levels and overall farm operations. He added, “Pressure-testing contingency plans now is critical to business resilience and to regaining disease freedom as quickly as possible.”

According to Sparrey, the most likely pathway for ASF to reach the UK remains contaminated, illegally imported or undeclared meat. As a result, producers are encouraged to reassess all possible on-farm transmission routes, including vehicle access, staff hygiene, visitor protocols, pig-to-pig contact and overall site layout.

“Effective biosecurity doesn’t always require major investment,” he explains. “Small, practical improvements can make a significant difference if they’re consistently applied.”

Wild boar populations and neighbouring pigs also pose a potential risk, particularly through nose-to-nose contact that can be difficult to monitor. “While ASF poses no risk to human health, it is highly contagious among pigs,” said Sparrey. “Measures such as double fencing to prevent incursions may be justified in higher-risk areas.”

Rare breed pig keepers are likewise urged to register their animals and maintain appropriate quarantine facilities, which could help reduce the likelihood of compulsory culling if circumstances permit.

Throughout the year, AHDB has worked alongside Livetec Systems and the National Pig Association (NPA) to deliver vet-led ASF preparedness workshops. Sparrey recommends external biosecurity audits to identify weak points. “It can be difficult to spot vulnerabilities on your own farm,” he says. “Regular biosecurity reviews allow producers to make steady improvements. We have time now and we should use it.”