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Join on Telegram Fez – Morocco has temporarily reinstated import duties on soft wheat as authorities move to protect what is expected to be one of the country’s strongest grain harvests in recent years.
Announced by the Customs and Indirect Tax Administration (ADII), the measure restores a 170% import duty on soft wheat and its derivatives from June 1 to July 31, 2026.
It comes as Morocco prepares for a favorable agricultural season, supported by improved rainfall and stronger cereal production.
The move marks a temporary end to the tax exemptions that had been in place since November 2021.
Those exemptions were introduced during a period of severe drought and rising global grain prices, allowing Morocco to secure wheat supplies from international markets and maintain domestic food security.
According to government estimates, the country’s cereal harvest is expected to reach nearly 90 million quintals this season.
With local production recovering significantly, authorities aim to encourage millers and grain collectors to purchase wheat from Moroccan farmers before turning to imported supplies.
The decision is part of a broader effort to support agricultural incomes while strengthening the national grain market.
The National Interprofessional Office for Cereals and Legumes (ONICL) has also introduced measures to support the sector, including setting reference prices and reinforcing strategic grain reserves.
The new framework follows a two-stage approach.
During the first phase, from June through July, the full import duty will apply, creating a strong barrier against foreign wheat imports and giving local producers priority access to the market.
In the second phase, beginning on August 1, the import duty will once again be suspended, returning to a zero-rate regime.
This will allow imports to resume after the harvest period, ensuring a steady supply of wheat for industrial mills and helping maintain adequate reserves for the remainder of the year.
The government views the policy as a balancing act between supporting domestic agriculture and preserving market stability.
While farmers benefit from protection during the harvest season, authorities also seek to avoid supply disruptions and excessive price pressures later in the year.
Customs officials have been instructed to closely monitor the implementation of the measure and report any operational challenges.
The transition will be closely watched as Morocco navigates an international environment still marked by volatility in agricultural commodity markets.
This temporary restoration of import duties reflects Morocco’s effort to strengthen its agricultural sector while maintaining long-term food security.
As local production rebounds, policymakers are seeking to ensure that domestic farmers can benefit from improved harvest conditions without compromising the country’s ability to meet future demand.
