Morocco will increase on wheat imports from 15 June until 15 August from 30% to 65% customs. It thus intends to stabilize the domestic wheat prices to a level of 2,800 2,850 dirhams per ton ($290,85 - $296,04). This was yesterday announced by the Moroccan Government.
This decision is surprising, because in April the Moroccan Minister of agriculture to the Reuters news service said, to maintain the tariff by 30% until the end of the year. This is the first time that Morocco did not finish the import campaign in April. Wheat importers and mills had prompted the positions, to extend the time window and preferable to the launch of the new import campaign. Usually starts the import campaign in Morocco in October and ends in April. Then, import tariffs be lifted then very strong to protect the local harvest.
Morocco estimated 3.35 million tons of grain will be harvest after a severe drought this year. 70% less than in the previous year, as 11 million tons of grain have been harvested. The rainfall totals were 43% below average and 45.5% behind the last season. This is the driest year for 30 years. In the period from November to February, it has not rained in 98 days.
