Officials anticipate a decline in France's exports of soft wheat to Morocco in the 2026-2027 season following improved rainfall in the North African country. According to Philippe Heusel, international president of French grain group Intercéréales, France exported 3.5 million tons of wheat to Morocco during the 2025-2026 season amid a drought that affected Morocco's harvest. Heusel confirmed that France is expected to export lower volumes of wheat to Morocco between September 2026 and May 2027.
Morocco experienced heavy rainfall in the previous season, which both revived Morocco's crops and damaged harvests due to floods. The improved rainfall led to an increase in Morocco's cereal harvest, with sector officials projecting the country's cereal harvest for this year to be at 90 million quintals. This development is expected to reduce Morocco's reliance on French soft wheat imports.
Despite the expected decline in exports, Heusel confirmed that France has sufficient supplies to meet Morocco's needs without any obstacles. France harvested 32 million tons of wheat this year and has been a significant supplier of soft wheat to Morocco. According to France's National Union of Grain Foreign Trade, France supplied 600,000 tons to Morocco since the beginning of October.
Morocco introduced a three-month halt in soft wheat imports that began on June 1 to give local farmers more time to sell their wheat and increase domestic stocks. The halt was lifted on September 16, as the country faced lower stocks and a shortage of locally collected wheat. The Moroccan government will introduce a system to compensate wheat importers for the difference between the international price and the price at which wheat is supplied to mills.
Moroccan professionals have expressed concerns over the situation in the Black Sea region, which has been witnessing instability due to the ongoing Russian-Ukraine tensions. Moulay Abdelkadr Alaoui, president of Morocco's National Federation of Mills, told Reuters that the instability in the region could impact the market and push up prices. He added that strong demand from Europe had reduced wheat supplies.
The decline in France's soft wheat exports to Morocco comes as the country faces a challenging global market. The ongoing Russian-Ukraine tensions have led to instability in the Black Sea region, a significant source of wheat exports. Moroccan professionals are hoping for a solution to the situation to calm the market and stabilize prices.
The situation highlights the complexities of global wheat trade and the impact of regional developments on food security. Morocco's reliance on imports and the country's efforts to support local farmers and manage domestic stocks will continue to influence its wheat imports. Key stakeholders will be monitoring the situation closely to ensure a stable supply of wheat to meet the country's needs.
Key points
- France's soft wheat exports to Morocco are expected to decline in the 2026-2027 season.
- Morocco's cereal harvest for this year is projected to be at 90 million quintals.
- The country introduced a three-month halt in soft wheat imports to give local farmers more time to sell their wheat.
