Morocco Diversifies Wheat Imports as Russian Shipments Rise

In December, Morocco imported 81,346 tons of wheat from Russia, of which nearly 70% were unloaded at the port of Casablanca (54,697 tons), the rest at the port of Nador (26,650 tons), according to statistics from the National Federation of Grain and Legume Traders (FNCL). This represents an increase of more than 8,200 tons compared to the 80,897 tons of Russian wheat received during the month of November. This volume represents 25% of Morocco’s total imports during the month of December. Ahead of France (89,100 tons) and Lithuania (81,901 tons), Russia maintains its position as Morocco’s third supplier of soft wheat at the end of 2023. It is followed by Poland (33,000 tons) and Germany (30,240 tons).

At the end of December, the counter shows 315,587 tons of wheat imported by Morocco. Compared to November (500,726 tons), there is a drop exceeding 185,000 tons. "Imports vary depending on market conditions, the most competitive origins and the supply needs of the local market. These are the three main parameters that we take into account in our daily assessments to determine the choice of our suppliers," Omar Yacoubi, president of the FNCL, had explained to the website Le360 in a statement last November.

In June, the Moroccan Interprofessional Office of Cereals and Legumes (ONICL) had set up a restitution system on the import of soft wheat for the benefit of operators. This system consists of the implementation of a flat-rate premium to be paid by the State in favor of importers in the event that the ex-port cost price is higher than 270 dirhams per quintal. This premium corresponds to the difference between the average ex-port cost price of the month and the rate of $2.7/tonne. In this regard, subsidies had enabled the acquisition of a stock of 2.5 million tons of soft wheat on the international market between July and September 2023. Between October and December 2023, Morocco bought 756,739 tons of soft wheat. The country’s import needs are estimated at around 5 million tons for this season.