Morocco Extends Wheat Import Duty Suspension to Ensure Food Security

The Ministry of Agriculture announced that the suspension of customs duties on soft wheat will be extended beyond June 15. The purpose of this measure is to stimulate purchases made by importers on the global market in a context where the overall wheat harvest is expected to be comfortable in 2020/2021. It also aims to ensure the permanent renewal of the domestic stock, equivalent to at least 4.5 months of consumption.

This decision comes in a context where Morocco is experiencing a severe drought for the second consecutive season, which will affect its own harvest. The kingdom’s wheat harvest is expected to fall by 33% to 2.8 million tons in 2020/2021, projects the US Department of Agriculture, which forecasts 5.4 million tons for imports.