Competition Council Warns About Lack of Strategic Grain Reserves in Morocco

Morocco’s Competition Council has warned that the country’s failure to establish a strategic grain reserve leaves the national market vulnerable to shocks, especially during drought years or periods of global instability.

In its opinion on the competitive functioning of Morocco’s milling sector, the Council said that building such a reserve is essential for food security and economic stability.

The Council explained that the National Office of Cereals and Pulses is supposed to manage Morocco’s grain reserves and ensure stable supply. However, its effectiveness remains limited because the regulatory framework needed to activate these responsibilities is still incomplete.

Although Law 12-94 gives the Office the power to create a grain reserve, the implementing decree defining how the reserve should be built, stored, and financed has never been issued.

According to the Council, this legal gap prevents proper planning and leaves the country more exposed to supply shortages or global market disruptions. It called on the government to urgently publish the missing regulation.

“Today, the sector stands at a crossroads, despite the significant efforts made by the state to ensure price stability and continuous supply of essential products,”  reads the report.

The council connected this issue to Morocco’s “strong dependence on imports, worsened by unfavorable climatic conditions and geopolitical crises,” saying it highlights “the urgent need for reform to guarantee its long-term resilience.”

The report said that the country needs a clear vision for sustainable food self-sufficiency and long-term agricultural development, including water management and supply security.

Strengthening grain storage, the Council said, is no longer temporary or optional; it is a structural necessity. Morocco needs storage capacities that go beyond daily operational needs to create “safety stocks” capable of absorbing climatic or geopolitical shocks, the report says.

A strong reserve would protect Morocco from international price swings while also supporting local farmers by ensuring a stable market for their production.

To achieve this, the Council recommended creating a special fund to finance strategic grain reserves, supported by the state budget, sectoral support, and public-private partnerships.

Tags: imports, Market, Morocco, food security, self-sufficiency, strategic grain reserve, milling sector