Morocco Reduces Wheat Imports as Domestic Harvest Improves

Morocco is set to cut wheat imports to 6.7 million tons for the 2025-2026 season, a decrease of 200,000 tons from the previous year, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecast. This reduction highlights improved domestic harvests and effective strategic stock management, despite ongoing climate challenges.

Unlike regional neighbors like Egypt, which remain heavily reliant on international market fluctuations, Morocco is showcasing greater self-sufficiency in grain supply. The country maintains balanced relationships with major wheat exporters—France, Russia, and Kazakhstan—avoiding over-dependence on any single supplier, thus strengthening its autonomy in grain procurement.

The global wheat market is growing increasingly competitive, with world production projected to reach a record 808.5 million tons. Russia, the European Union, and Australia are vying for dominance in North African markets. Russia, a key supplier to Algeria, sees Morocco as a strategic entry point to expand its economic influence along Africa’s Atlantic coast, while France aims to retain its traditional role, and Kazakhstan leverages growing political ties with Rabat.

Morocco adeptly navigates this competition through diversified procurement, modulated tenders, bilateral negotiations, and technical cooperation. This approach forms part of a broader strategy to foster multilateral partnerships beyond wheat trade. For maize, crucial for the animal feed industry, imports are expected to rise by 200,000 tons to 2.9 million tons, mainly from Ukraine, Brazil, and the United States, reflecting the growth of Morocco’s poultry sector.

Through its National Interprofessional Office for Cereals and Legumes (ONICL), Morocco continues its proactive market stabilization strategy. By employing targeted subsidies, strategic stock management, and price controls, the country ensures food security while maintaining strong ties with agricultural partners.

Tags: wheat, imports, Morocco