Morocco Diversifies Wheat Imports as Russia Emerges as Key Supplier

According to data from the National Federation of Cereal and Legume Traders (FNCL) in Morocco, wheat imports have fallen, dropping from 369,862 tons imported in September to 256,013 tons in October.

France remains Morocco’s main wheat supplier with 103,275 tons imported, compared to 59,459 tons for Romania, 33,000 tons for Lithuania and 32,979 tons for Poland. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has also become one of Morocco’s major suppliers with a volume of 27,500 tons.

To encourage Moroccan importers to maintain their wheat purchases despite global inflation, the National Interprofessional Office of Cereals and Legumes (ONICL) has implemented support measures. A subsidy set at 27.01 dirhams per quintal, then increased to 28.43 dirhams per quintal in November, has been granted to them.

Despite the drought and the rise in global cereal prices, Morocco wants to reach the target of 2 million tons of wheat imports by the end of the year in order to ensure food security. It remains to be seen whether this objective will be achieved.