Kazakhstan eyes Morocco as a gateway to Africa’s wheat market

Kazakhstan plans to use Morocco as a logistics and trade hub to expand wheat exports to North and West Africa. The strategy was discussed during the inaugural Kazakhstan–Morocco Business Council meeting held in Casablanca on July 21.

According to Asylkhan Dzhuvashev, Chairman of the state-owned grain company Prodcorporation, Morocco is seen not only as a promising market for Kazakh grain but also as a strategic platform for accessing other African markets. The two countries intend to combine Morocco’s port infrastructure with Kazakhstan’s transport corridors to facilitate trade.

In 2025, Kazakhstan exported $108 million worth of wheat to Africa, with 65% of shipments going to Algeria, 32% to Morocco, and the remainder to Egypt. Despite this growth, Africa accounted for only 6.75% of Kazakhstan’s total wheat export revenue, highlighting significant room for expansion.

North Africa remains one of the world’s largest wheat-importing regions. According to the latest USDA outlook, countries in the region are expected to import nearly 29.8 mln tons of wheat in the 2026/27 MY, making it the world’s third-largest wheat import market after Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

However, Kazakhstan will face strong competition from established suppliers, particularly Russia, as well as the European Union, including France and Romania. Efficient logistics, reliable supply chains, and long-term commercial contracts are expected to be decisive factors in securing a larger share of Africa’s wheat imports.

Tags: Kazakhstan, wheat, Morocco