Russia seeks larger share in Morocco’s wheat imports

The Russian ambassador to Rabat said his country is ready to sell wheat at a competitive price to Morocco, a major wheat importer.

“Russia is ready to supply wheat to Morocco at reasonable prices,” Russia’s ambassador Vladimir Baibakov told TASS news agency.

“Morocco remains a key Russian trade and economic partner in Africa. In a geopolitical context marked by worsening energy and food crises, such a partnership is particularly important,” he said.

Russia’s interest in Morocco’s wheat market comes amid fierce international competition among wheat exporters to expand their market share in Morocco.

Last year, Morocco surpassed Algeria as the largest importer of EU wheat, notably of French origin.

So far this year, Morocco imported 1.7 million tons from France which by far outperformed Germany, Romania, and Poland.

Traders however expect France not to retain its significant market shares for long in view of high prices.

Morocco has also generalized subsidies for importers to cover all wheat origins, in a move that traders say would benefit Russia.

Wheat markets specialist Arthur Portier told French media Russia is lowering wheat prices as a diplomatic tool in its standoff with the West.

Meanwhile, L’economiste reported that Polish wheat exporters are also seeking to expand their market share in Morocco.