Drought-hit Morocco to extend wheat import subsidies to year-end

Morocco will extend its subsidy program for soft wheat imports until December 31. This decision comes from the state grains agency ONICL. The country is affected by drought and needs to import throughout the year.

ONICL announced that the new subsidies for importers will run from May 1 to December 31. More details about this program will be shared later.

Previously, authorities had a subsidy program that ended in April. Extending the program into 2025 suggests that the upcoming harvest may not meet demand. In better crop years, Morocco has restricted imports to protect local supply.

Over the past two years, Morocco has heavily imported wheat due to prolonged droughts. Last year, soft wheat, durum, and barley production fell to 3.1 million tons. This was a 43% decrease compared to the previous crop.

Morocco has become an important wheat export outlet for the European Union and Russia. Additionally, ONICL stated that subsidies would also support importers holding stocks of soft wheat from April 1 to December 31.