The Moroccan government has decided to continue supporting the import of soft wheat until the end of April, utilizing a “reimbursement system” for importers to ensure a stable supply in the domestic market for this essential commodity.
The National Office for Cereals and Legumes clarified that this measure comes under a joint decision between the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development. It pertains specifically to imports of soft wheat intended for milling at industrial facilities during the first four months of this year.
This decision follows a persistent decline in national production, which is unable to meet the increasing demand from industrial mills, particularly as soft wheat is the most consumed grain in Morocco. This has led the government to extend its program for boosting imports from international markets, following its implementation between May and December of the previous year.
According to the same data, the average cost price for calculating the value of the grant allocated to importers will be determined based on the average prices from two sources, especially for imports coming from Germany, Argentina, France, or the United States.
The subsidy paid by the state covers the difference between the average cost price of wheat at the port each month and the reference price set at 270 dirhams per quintal, with its value varying according to fluctuations in international market prices.
It is noted that the volume of support provided during the first four months of last year ranged between 7 and 14 dirhams per quintal, before declining to less than one dirham as international soft wheat prices improved.
