Casablanca – The Moroccan government has decided to temporarily reintroduce import duties on soft wheat and its derivatives for a two-month period, from June 1 to July 31, 2026, before restoring the suspension of customs duties starting August 1. The measure, announced by the Customs and Indirect Tax Administration (ADII), forms part of a transitional adjustment to the country’s grain import regime, which has remained largely duty-free since late 2021.

According to an official circular dated May 26, 2026, the decision is implemented under Decree No. 2.26.419, published in the Official Gazette on May 25. The decree specifies that import duties will apply temporarily during the summer period, after which the previous policy of suspension will resume. The measure applies specifically to tariff codes 1001.99.00.19 and 1001.99.00.90, covering soft wheat and certain derivatives used in food and milling industries.

A calibrated adjustment in a sensitive commodity market

Soft wheat is a strategic commodity in Morocco, as it is a key component of the national diet and a major input for the country’s flour and bakery industries. The import regime governing this product has historically been adjusted depending on global price conditions, domestic harvest performance, and food security requirements.

Since November 2021, Morocco has maintained a full suspension of import duties on soft wheat, a policy introduced in response to significant volatility in international grain markets, particularly following disruptions in global supply chains and fluctuations in prices. The suspension aimed to facilitate imports, stabilize domestic supply, and protect consumers from global price spikes.

The latest decision does not mark a structural shift in policy, but rather a short-term interruption of that exemption system. Authorities have emphasized that the measure is strictly temporary, lasting only two months, after which the suspension will be reinstated.

Agricultural recovery reduces immediate pressure

The timing of the decision coincides with an improving outlook for Morocco’s agricultural sector. After several years of drought that significantly affected cereal production, the 2025–2026 agricultural campaign is showing signs of recovery. Official projections presented by the Ministry of Agriculture estimate cereal production at around 90 million quintals, alongside an anticipated 15% growth in agricultural GDP.

This rebound in domestic output has reduced immediate pressure on import dependency, allowing policymakers greater flexibility in adjusting fiscal and customs measures. However, Morocco remains structurally dependent on international markets for wheat supply, particularly in years when rainfall remains uneven across agricultural regions.

The temporary reintroduction of duties can therefore be interpreted as part of a broader effort to recalibrate fiscal management of imports in line with improving local production conditions, while maintaining the ability to respond quickly to external market fluctuations.

Balancing fiscal considerations and market stability

Although official documents do not explicitly detail the motivations behind the decision, economic and trade policy considerations suggest several underlying factors.

First, the temporary duties may contribute modestly to public revenue at a time when governments are seeking to optimize fiscal balances without disrupting essential supply chains. Even short-term tariff applications can generate additional customs income, particularly for high-volume imports such as wheat.

Second, the measure may also reflect an adaptive approach to global agricultural market conditions. International grain prices have experienced cycles of volatility in recent years due to weather shocks, geopolitical tensions, and logistical constraints. By temporarily reinstating duties, authorities may be signaling greater confidence in short-term supply stability while preserving flexibility to revert to zero duties if global conditions tighten.

Third, the policy may serve as a regulatory “pause” to reassess import flows during a period of improving domestic harvest expectations. With national cereal production projected to recover significantly, policymakers may be testing a more balanced interaction between domestic supply and imports before returning to a fully liberalized import regime.

Limited duration and operational safeguards

The Customs and Indirect Tax Administration has instructed its regional services to ensure strict implementation of the new measures and to report any operational difficulties to the central administration. This reflects the administrative importance of ensuring a smooth transition between two regulatory regimes within a short timeframe.

The planned return to duty suspension on August 1 indicates that the government does not intend to alter the long-standing import liberalization framework for soft wheat. Instead, the two-month period appears designed as a controlled and reversible adjustment.

Outlook for the cereal sector

Morocco’s cereal market remains highly sensitive to climatic conditions, particularly rainfall distribution, which strongly influences annual production levels. While the current agricultural season shows encouraging signs, structural reliance on imports is expected to continue in order to stabilize supply and meet domestic consumption needs.

In this context, the alternating use of import duty suspension and temporary reinstatement reflects a broader policy approach aimed at balancing three key objectives: ensuring food security, supporting domestic agricultural recovery, and maintaining fiscal and trade flexibility.

As the summer period approaches, market operators will closely monitor the impact of the temporary duties on import flows, pricing dynamics, and procurement strategies. However, given the limited duration of the measure and the scheduled return to suspension, major disruptions to supply chains are not anticipated.