Rabat – Morocco is increasingly turning to Russia for wheat imports as the North African country grapples with severe droughts and global supply chain disruptions.
From November 1 to 20, Morocco imported 222,000 tons of wheat from Russia, a notable increase compared to 119,000 tons during the same period in 2023, according to Elena Tyurina, head of the analytical department at the Russian Grain Union.
This jump demonstrates Morocco’s growing reliance on Russian wheat as it seeks to stabilize its food supply amid a struggling local harvest.
This shift is also part of a broader trend across Africa, where nations are increasingly turning to the Black Sea region — particularly Russia — to replace dwindling European wheat exports.
For years, Morocco sourced much of its wheat from the European Union, but reduced wheat availability from the EU has pushed the North African country to explore alternative sources.
The EU’s export potential has been compromised by internal challenges, including a decrease in wheat production, forcing countries like Morocco to find more reliable suppliers.
The pressure on Morocco’s wheat supply comes after the government reported poor harvests for the 2024 season. The country’s total wheat production dropped sharply to 2.47 million tons, a 40.6% decrease from the previous year.
This marks the smallest harvest since the 2007-2008 season, which was just 1.58 million tons. The barley situation is similarly grim, with production falling 51.9% to just 0.65 million tons.
The root of these declines lies in years of drought, which has left Morocco’s agricultural sector vulnerable. 2023 was the driest year ever recorded in the country, with a rainfall deficit of nearly 50%.
This lack of moisture has led to a significant decrease in the area planted with wheat and barley, leaving farmers with less to harvest. In some regions, sowing did not begin until January, when the rains finally arrived.
