Maize flour and cereals market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for maize flour and cereals in Morocco stood at 1 012 thousand tonnes in 2018. It grew by 25.7% to 1 272 thousand tonnes in 2019, despite lower rainfall in the 2018-2019 agricultural season that reduced domestic grain production. This increase was driven by higher imports to meet demand, while government subsidies on flour and administratively fixed prices supported consumption. By 2020, the market volume expanded further to 1 321 thousand tonnes, a 3.9% rise.

In 2021, the market volume declined by 6.9% to 1 230 thousand tonnes. A severe drought caused a sharp 67% drop in domestic cereal output, outweighing the effect of imports. The Russia-Ukraine conflict in early 2022 pushed up global wheat prices, exacerbating the situation. The market volume dipped slightly to 1 184 thousand tonnes in 2022 as persistent climatic challenges and geopolitical tensions constrained grain availability, despite some harvest improvement.

The market recovered to 1 231 thousand tonnes in 2023, a 4.0% increase. This was supported by a 62% rise in cereal production compared to the previous year and lower global prices, which eased imports. The government continued to subsidize soft wheat flour to stabilize prices and support consumers.

Production maize flour and cereals in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Morocco ranked as the 28th largest producer of maize flour and cereals during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Maize flour and cereals production in Morocco increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Morocco produced 1 322 thousand tonnes of maize flour and cereals, marking a 3.9% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 15.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 012 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 11.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 25.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Morocco's maize flour and cereals production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 485.9 million US dollars, up by 7.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 30.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 360.7 million US dollars, which saw a decline of 3.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 25.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Morocco in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports maize flour and cereals from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Morocco's maize flour and cereals exports reached 1 706 tonnes, representing a 12.8% increase compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 512 tonnes, which saw a decline of 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritania remained the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for Morocco's maize flour and cereals exports in kind, accounting for 99.6% of the total.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Morocco in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, maize flour and cereals deliveries from Morocco amounted to 627.0 thousand US dollars, showing a robust gain of 16.2% over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 14.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 539.8 thousand US dollars, which experienced a decline of 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Morocco in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, exports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Mauritania, which accounted for 98.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Morocco in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize flour and cereals to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of maize flour and cereals to Morocco declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Morocco imported approximately 1 345 tonnes of maize flour and cereals, constituting a robust decrease of 15.1% from a year earlier. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 073 tonnes, which saw an increase of 28.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 23.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Turkey, and Italy were the main sources of maize flour and cereals imports to Morocco in kind. Spain accounted for 49.1% of imports, Turkey for 30.5%, and Italy for 9.8%, together absorbing 89.4% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Morocco in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Morocco imported 801.2 thousand US dollars worth of maize flour and cereals, showing a strong gain of 12.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 26.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 889.9 thousand US dollars, which saw an increase of 40.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 20.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Morocco in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain, Turkey, and France formed the core of Morocco's maize flour and cereals imports in value terms. Spain accounted for 45.2% of imports, Turkey for 20.5%, and France for 14.0%, together taking 79.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Morocco in value, 2017-2020