Morocco has launched its 2025-2026 grain import season with strong early activity by local buyers, taking advantage of stable international prices and steady exchange rates.
The season coincides with the end of harvests in major producing countries, providing importers with more visibility on supply and shipping schedules.
The National Interprofessional Office of Cereals confirmed it will maintain the suspension of the flat-rate subsidy for soft wheat imports during September.
Officials said international prices remain below the reference threshold of 270 dirhams per quintal, eliminating the need for state intervention. Current market levels are closer to 260 dirhams per quintal.
During the previous campaign (2024-2025), Morocco imported over 10.28 million tonnes of soft wheat, with France supplying more than two million tonnes, followed by Russia, Brazil, Germany, Canada and other European exporters.
Soft wheat remains Morocco’s most consumed variety, largely processed into flour for bakeries and household consumption. Local production, however, has been weakened by recurring droughts, further increasing reliance on foreign markets.
“Import planning is proceeding optimally at the start of this new campaign, which coincides with the end of harvests abroad,” said Abdelkader Alaoui, president of the National Federation of Milling.
Speaking to Hespress, he explained that importers have already secured consignments, some due to arrive as early as October, while others are scheduled for the following months.
Alaoui noted that shipping times vary significantly, with Russian cargoes taking up to 12 days to reach Morocco, compared to just five days for shipments from France.
He stressed that early purchases allow importers to lock in favorable price conditions and protect against currency volatility.
The decision to keep subsidies suspended, he added, reflects current market stability and differs from past periods when state intervention was required to cushion price surges.
“We are only at the beginning of the 2025-2026 import season, which so far is unfolding normally. Market needs will become clearer midway through the campaign,” Alaoui said.
The heavy dependence on imported wheat underscores Morocco’s exposure to climate risks and global price fluctuations. For Rabat, ensuring food security remains a strategic challenge tightly linked to international grain markets.
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