Omar Yacoubi, head of the Moroccan grain trader's association (FNCL), said that Russia will surpass France as Morocco's leading soft wheat supplier in 2024/25.

Morocco must import 5 million tons of soft grain after a poor domestic harvest caused by drought, said the official.

Yacoubi, speaking on the sidelines a conference organized by French grain exporter Intercereales, said that France "lacks necessary quantities" to supply its market.

He said that since August, Black Sea wheat origin has been the most popular on the market.

He said that, in light of the anticipated drop in French wheat imports, "we must look at other exporting nations such as Russia. Romania, Bulgaria. Ukraine. The Baltic states. Poland.

Jean Francois Lapie, the French grain exporters' union, told the conference that the French soft wheat sales in Morocco will drop from 2.8 to 1.5 million tonnes this season.

Yacoubi stated that due to the low quantities of exports available in France, Russia is "the marketmaker".

Yacoubi, a Moroccan trader, said that Moroccan traders expect to import products from Argentina and Brazil.

Abdelkader Alaoui, head of the Moroccan Federation of Industrial Millers, said that Morocco imported 1.5 million tons between June and August. France was the top importer, followed by Russia.

He said that the price stability until September had encouraged an increase in imports. He said that he hoped to continue importing the basic staple until March. Stockpiles covered just over 3 months.

(source: Reuters)