Morocco Faces Wheat Shortage, Imports 576,000 Tons as Cereal Production Drops

9 October 2019 – byGinette · 1 min read

Moroccan cereal production will record a significant decline, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The National Cereals Office, while measuring the situation, has approved, through a tender closed on October 1, the import of 576,000 tons of soft wheat, at a reduced rate, from the European Union (EU).

The 576,000 tons of wheat will be shipped to Morocco no later than January 31, 2020. And, with a harvest of around 52 million quintals of cereals, Morocco will have to maintain the balance by importing the equivalent of 4 million tons of wheat, reports the Barlamane website.

From the figures published by the FAO, it is noted that world cereal production is estimated at 2,706 billion tons. This situation, according to the experts of the institution, would be explained by "the decline in global production prospects for rice and wheat, which exceeded the more important production forecasts for coarse grains".

But cereal production is not the only one to experience a decline in 2019. According to the FAO, the sugar price index fell by 3.9% compared to its level in August, while the vegetable oil price index rose by 1.4%.

While wheat prices remained stable, corn prices fell month after month, due to significant exportable supplies. And, rice prices fell slightly, according to FAO data, published by Barlamane.com.

Category: Economy

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Imports FAO Consumption