Leaders of grain milling and trading unions in Morocco have expressed concerns regarding the country's initiatives to reduce reliance on imports and prioritize local wheat sales. Despite an abundant harvest, the efforts are hindered by low protein levels and delays in harvesting. After heavy rains concluded a seven-year drought, the government implemented a 135% tariff for the months of June and July to curb imports.
As one of the world’s largest wheat importers, Morocco anticipates its grain production, including soft wheat, to double this season, reaching an estimated 9 million tons. However, both Omar El Yaacoubi, president of the National Union of Grain Traders, and Moulay Abdellah El Alaoui, president of the National Federation of Mills, have indicated that the harvest is facing labor shortages, exacerbated by the coinciding Eid al-Adha holiday, aging equipment, and ongoing rainfall.
El Yaacoubi noted the severe impact of the prolonged drought, stating, "It was necessary to reactivate the harvesting mechanism after it had remained inactive for years." El Alaoui added that some farmers are concerned about the risk of fires if wheat is left unharvested while awaiting the arrival of harvesting machines.
Moreover, industry representatives have raised quality concerns, particularly the drop in local wheat protein levels to approximately 10.5%, which falls short of the minimum required for bread flour at 11.5%. El Alaoui attributed this issue to decreased use of nitrogen fertilizers, which have become more expensive due to disruptions linked to the conflict with Iran. In response to the low protein content, mill officials are blending local wheat with higher-protein imports.
At the same time, Moroccan authorities have linked the resumption of imports starting from August 1 to achieving the goal of collecting the local harvest. This involves farmers delivering the grain to mills or strategic storage, with a target of at least 1.2 million tons. El Yaacoubi described this target as "very ambitious," highlighting that the collection process has slowed because many small farmers are choosing to retain the grain for their own use.
Mill officials have also pointed out the lack of uniformity among Moroccan wheat varieties, as multiple types are often grown in the same area, complicating processing and quality standardization. Furthermore, timing is crucial; newly harvested wheat must be stored for up to four weeks before milling.
El Alaoui warned that if the collection of the harvest is delayed, the import restrictions might be extended for another month. This could exacerbate stock depletion and lead to a rush to import later in September, risking port congestion.
While Agriculture Minister Ahmed Bouari stated before Parliament last month that the priority is on the local harvest and protecting local farmers, traders and mill operators remain uncertain about the quantity Morocco will ultimately need to import. Official data from the National Union of Grain Traders indicates that France supplied 70% of Morocco's soft wheat imports, totaling 5.1 million tons, during the last season, which ran from June of last year to May 31. Argentina, Russia, and Germany followed as key suppliers.
El Yaacoubi concluded that while importers will prioritize local wheat, they will also consider availability from all sources to ensure the best balance between quality and price once the local supply situation becomes clear.
As reported by alarabiya.net.
