The Moroccan government has implemented a new system for marketing soft wheat intended for the production of subsidized flour. This decision, made jointly by the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, and the Minister Delegate for Budget, aims to ensure the stability of the national market supply and the equitable distribution of public support across various regions.
The decree, published in the latest issue of the official gazette, falls within the government’s policy to regulate the production and distribution chains of grains, as outlined in Law No. 94.12 related to the National Office of Cereals and Pulses, and the implementing decree No. 2.96.305.
The new framework stipulates that the purchase of soft wheat aimed at producing subsidized flour will occur through open tenders supervised by the National Office of Cereals, with the participation of grain traders and agricultural cooperatives. Competitors must be registered with the office according to legal conditions.
The decree sets the sale price of wheat to industrial mills at 258.80 dirhams per quintal, based on the quality parameters defined in the legislation, allowing for minor adjustments based on quality criteria. Additionally, the government will cover the price difference for industrial mills, including transportation, storage, and delivery costs, plus an initial fee of two dirhams per quintal.
The decree also mandates a comprehensive tracking and monitoring system that documents the wheat’s journey from purchase to production and distribution, utilizing serial numbers and special seals to ensure transparency and prevent any illegal rerouting.
The new system distinguishes between two types of subsidized flour: national flour and special flour, each subject to specific technical specifications. Regulatory texts require that sacks be packaged in 50 kg bags featuring a green strip and clear information about their origin and price, with a ban on price changes at the retail level.
Regarding pricing, the retail price has been set at 200 dirhams per quintal for national flour and 100 dirhams for flour designated for the southern regions, with the state covering transport and handling costs, implementing a unified pricing system nationwide.
Additionally, the decree assigns the National Office of Cereals the responsibility of delivering flour to beneficiary centers and managing compensation for local transportation, ensuring a continuous supply in remote and mountainous areas.
This decision reinforces a new approach focused on regulating the market and ensuring geographical equity in support distribution, while maintaining the stability of prices for one of the essential goods in the daily consumption basket of Moroccan citizens.
