Casablanca – Morocco will temporarily suspend soft wheat imports from June 1 to July 31 after improved rainfall boosted cereal production and strengthened expectations for one of the country’s best harvests in years.

The decision reflects a significant recovery in Morocco’s agricultural sector following seven consecutive years of drought, which had sharply reduced domestic grain output and increased dependence on imported wheat.

According to current projections, Morocco’s cereal harvest is expected to reach around 9 million metric tons this season, nearly double the level recorded last year. The increase has been driven by abundant rainfall during the winter and spring, which improved soil moisture, expanded planted areas, and raised crop yields in the country’s main farming regions.

The area planted with cereals grew from 2.6 million hectares (6.4 million acres) to 3.7 million hectares (9.1 million acres), while rainfall was reported to be 34% above the average of the past 30 years and about three times higher than in the previous agricultural season.

The temporary halt in imports is intended to give priority to the marketing and storage of the domestic crop during the harvest period. Imports are expected to resume in August if additional supplies are needed to balance the market and meet consumer demand.

Soft wheat is a strategic commodity in Morocco because it is the main ingredient used in bread and other staple foods. Maintaining a balance between local production and imports is considered essential to preserving food security and price stability.

Despite the improved harvest outlook, imported wheat continues to play an important role in meeting national demand. Morocco imported approximately 1.7 million metric tons of soft wheat during the first four months of 2026, and total cereal imports reached about 7 million metric tons between June 2025 and January 2026.

France remained Morocco’s largest wheat supplier, followed by Argentina, Russia, Germany, and the United States. According to FranceAgriMer, French soft wheat exports to Morocco reached 2.7 million metric tons between July and March, nearly double the five-year average.

The United States Department of Agriculture forecasts that Morocco’s total wheat imports, including soft and durum wheat, will decline to around 4 million metric tons in the 2026/2027 marketing year, representing a decrease of about 40% from the current season.

At the same time, logistical challenges remain. Around 300,000 metric tons of soft wheat are currently waiting to be unloaded at the Port of Casablanca, underscoring ongoing congestion at one of the country’s main grain entry points.

The two-month suspension of soft wheat imports signals a notable improvement in Morocco’s agricultural outlook and suggests a reduced reliance on international markets, at least during the current harvest season.