Rabat hosts pivotal forum on sustainable food industry transformation
A landmark gathering in Rabat has set the stage for Morocco’s food processing sector to transition toward a low-carbon future. The National Forum on Decarbonization of Food Industries, convened Monday by the National Federation of Agri-food (FENAGRI), brought together policymakers, industry leaders, financial institutions, and technical experts to chart a sustainable path forward.
Under the joint patronage of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the forum highlighted the urgent need for systemic change in a sector facing mounting pressures: soaring energy costs, water scarcity, tightening international trade standards, and evolving climate-related market demands.
The food processing industry stands as a cornerstone of Morocco’s economy. With an annual turnover exceeding 191 billion Moroccan dirhams, the sector comprises roughly 2,600 enterprises nationwide, employs over 206,000 people directly, and contributes 44 billion dirhams to exports. It also supplies more than 77% of the country’s processed food needs.
Yet this economic backbone carries a significant environmental footprint. Food industries consume approximately 380,000 tons of oil equivalent annually—nearly 20% of the nation’s total industrial energy use. These figures underscore both the sector’s strategic importance and the necessity of implementing a structured, phased decarbonization strategy tailored to the diverse realities of its sub-sectors.
Building a roadmap for a greener future
In collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, FENAGRI has launched a nationwide study to develop a 2040 decarbonization roadmap for the food industry. The initiative aims to pinpoint major emission sources, assess reduction levers, define transition pathways, and outline practical implementation conditions.
The forum served as a platform to unveil key findings from this initiative and foster structured dialogue across the ecosystem. Participants reached a powerful consensus: decarbonization is not merely a regulatory or environmental obligation—it is a catalyst for economic competitiveness, industrial modernization, energy efficiency, market access, and long-term resilience.
“Decarbonizing Morocco’s food industry is no longer a distant goal. It is a present-day imperative that directly impacts business competitiveness, energy performance, market access, investment capacity, and resilience against new climate and economic challenges,” stated Abdelmounim El Eulj, FENAGRI President, during the event.
A call for unified action
Discussions emphasized the vital role of coordinated collaboration among public authorities, manufacturers, financial institutions, international partners, technical experts, and professional federations. Success hinges on establishing supportive mechanisms, improving access to green financing, strengthening technical expertise within companies, and promoting an integrated approach that aligns industrial, energy, environmental, and water policies.
Special attention was given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of Morocco’s industrial fabric. Supporting these businesses is essential to ensuring an inclusive, gradual, and operationally effective transition.
Key takeaways included the demand for accessible solutions, customized diagnostics, bankable projects, and financing instruments tailored to the unique realities of each food sub-sector.
Looking ahead, FENAGRI remains committed to advancing this momentum. Future steps include establishing a monitoring framework for the decarbonization roadmap, organizing sector-specific workshops, deepening engagement with financial and technical partners, and assisting member companies in defining and executing their individual transition strategies.
