Moroccan grain buyers battle port congestion amid Middle East conflict

Morocco's grains trade is grappling with significant logistical challenges, exacerbated by severe weather disruptions in the first quarter of 2026 amid the Middle East conflict that has impacted global shipping routes, market sources told Platts, part of S&P Global Energy.

Wheat importers and local millers report that hundreds of Moroccan businesses are facing extended delivery delays, with some shipments taking months to arrive. This has resulted in an unprecedented accumulation of ships and containers at Moroccan ports.

"Ports remain congested for the month ahead," a Morocco-based wheat buyer said.

The buyer said some containers shipped as early as January have yet to reach Morocco, with certain goods temporarily stored in Spanish ports due to a lack of space domestically.

"There is a strain at the ports due to earlier weather-related disruptions; in mid-February, 80 ships were waiting off Casablanca, including about 25 cereal carriers," the buyer added.

He noted that ships from France cost about $15,000/day, while those from the Americas cost $25,000/day.

Shipping reroutes

The situation at Moroccan ports has been further complicated by the Middle East conflict.

Disruptions at key maritime chokepoints are forcing shipping companies to reconsider traditional routes between Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Consequently, Morocco's Tanger Med Port is emerging as a critical logistics hub as ships are diverted toward Atlantic corridors, analysts said.

In 2025, Tangier Med Port handled over 161 million metric tons of cargo and processed more than 11 million containers, marking an 8.4% increase from the previous year, according to data from Morocco's port authority.

Its strategic location near the Strait of Gibraltar positions it as a vital crossroads for trade between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Wheat traders said that ongoing instability could drive up insurance premiums, alter global shipping patterns, and increase penalties for delays and storage.

Longer detours around Africa have also raised fuel costs, pushing freight rates higher. Shipping carriers have responded by introducing surcharges ranging from $1,500 to $3,300 per standard container, with specialized equipment fees reaching up to $4,000, according to sources.

Platts assessed Wheat 11% FOB EU Rouen and CPT Rouen April period at Eur 207.00 and Eur 204.75, respectively March 31.

Bumper harvest

Despite these logistical hurdles, Moroccan grain traders and millers are optimistic about the upcoming cereal harvest, which is expected to double this season due to abundant winter rainfall. While flooding in the northwestern plains has been locally significant, it is anticipated to have only a limited effect on overall production.

The Moroccan High Commission for Planning estimates total cereal production in 2026 at 8 million to 9 million mt, including about 5 million mt of soft wheat. This represents a substantial increase from last year's harvest of 4.4 million mt, of which 2.4 million mt were soft wheat.

"If these favorable crop conditions are confirmed in April, Morocco may close its border to wheat imports for two to three months, from May through the end of August, which would reduce French wheat exports to Morocco," a Moroccan buyer said.

"However, uncertainties remain due to weather risks such as the Chergui wind, April rains, and harvest-time precipitation," the buyer said.

In years of strong harvests, Morocco typically suspends wheat import subsidies and reinstates customs duties to protect local producers. However, importers and mills have requested that the government extend support measures until June to offset costs incurred from recent storms, analysts said.

French exporters traditionally supply about two-thirds of Morocco's soft wheat import requirements. Estimated imports of soft wheat from June 2025 to January 2026 equal 3.2 million mt, with France being the major origin at 70% market share, according to data from Intercereales, an interprofessional organization representing cereals in France.