Read in
Rabat – Morocco’s grain imports surpassed 8.8 million tonnes last year, according to new data from theNational Port Authority (ANP).
This figure represents an increase of 23.2% over the previous year, and imports at the port of Casablancahe reached 4.7 million tons.
Cereals imported from the Port of Casablanca account for about 53.6% of total grain shipments, followedby Jorf Lasar, Agadir, Nador and Safi.
The ANP attributed the increase in Morocco’s cereal imports to ‘unfavorable climatic conditions’.
Morocco’s cereal production hit a low last agricultural season.
In the 2021-22 campaign, Morocco’s staple grain production did not exceed 34 million quintals, comparedwith his 100 million quintals in the previous season. The North African country is facing its worst drought in40 years due to lack of rainfall and rising temperatures.
To deal with the situation, the country stepped up grain imports to meet local needs.
Morocco is one of the world’s largest grain importers.
Morocco’s grain imports hit her $2.28 billion in 2020, according to Trading Economics data.
Ukraine and Russia contributed 20% and 7% respectively to Morocco’s wheat supply. Morocco is lookingto diversify its partners to improve its supply of wheat as the war between Russia and Ukraine affectssupply chains and trading capabilities in both countries.
Morocco’s cereals and legumes input-output department, he introduced new changes in March toencourage companies to import cereal products from the Black Sea region.