While Morocco plans to import about 2.5 million tons of wheat by next June, Russia has made an offer to supply this basic material to Moroccans at a reasonable price.
In this context, Vladimir Baibakov, the Russian ambassador to Rabat, affirmed that “Russia is ready to supply wheat to Morocco at a reasonable price.”
Both countries celebrated Friday the 65th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.
“Both Russia and Morocco buy the goods most in demand in their markets from each other,” the ambassador said in an interview with the Russian News Agency.
“Coal and petroleum products account for a large portion of Moroccan imports, while Russia buys citrus fruits and fish.”
He added, “In light of the new geopolitical circumstances and the worsening energy and food crises, this partnership is of special importance.”
The Russian diplomat praised his country’s relations with the Kingdom, saying that Morocco remains among Russia’s leading trade and economic partners in Africa.
“In 2022, the Kingdom was the third largest country in terms of exports and the fourth largest country in terms of imports. After the Coronavirus pandemic, the trade volume between our two countries exceeded two billion dollars again and continues to rise,” explained Baibakov.
It is worth noting that Russia had previously announced last July the decision to stop an agreement signed with Ukraine, mediated by Turkey, which stipulates allowing the passage of Ukrainian grain via ships to international markets.
Omar Yaqoubi, President of the National Federation of Grain Merchants, previously revealed in a statement to MoroccoLatestNews that Morocco is awaiting the arrival of grain shipments in the coming days, with the first batch of 2.5 million tons of grain ending next September.
The agreed-upon import level will be maintained, with the first batch of 2.5 million tons ending next June, and the agreed upon import level reaching 2.5 million tons by the end of June next year.
He stressed that “the current stock is sufficient for five months, as was previously announced,” noting that “weak local production, which does not cover internal demand at all, is what drives imports from abroad,” which professionals find to be unfortunate.