A new agreement has been signed between Russia and Morocco.
Due to the ongoing drought and rising domestic demand for grains, Morocco has turned to Russia as a key supplier of grains, particularly soft wheat.
The agreement was signed by Omar Yacoubi, president of the National Federation of Grain and Legume Traders, and Eduard Zernin, head of the Russian Union of Grain Exporters and Producers.
The Russian Union includes 37 leading grain producers and exporters, offering Morocco access to a robust supply chain that will boost Morocco’s grain supply.
The pact, effective immediately, sets the framework for a year-long partnership, with provisions for regular consultations and potential extensions.
In November 2024, Morocco was reported to have imported 222,000 tons of wheat from Russia, a sharp increase from the 119,000 tons it imported during the same period last year.
Morocco’s reliance on the importation of grains is a result of its agricultural challenges, which are made worse by climate change. The nation is grappling with a severe drought, now in its sixth consecutive year. This is coupled with extreme hot weather as temperatures rise above 30 degrees Celsius even in November.
These conditions have led to a significant decline in domestic wheat production, with this year’s harvest projected at just 2.5 million tons—a 40% drop from the previous year and well below the average.
To address this shortfall, Morocco’s wheat imports are expected to rise by 19% in 2024, reaching 7.5 million tons, according to a recent report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
Morocco is actively seeking to diversify its partnerships with global leaders in grain supply to tackle the challenges posed by climate change. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization report adds that Morocco is expected to become one of the world’s top six wheat importers this year.
