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Morocco urged to establish strategic grain reserves to bolster food security
Morocco’s Competition Council has issued a stark warning about the nation’s lack of strategic grain reserves, leaving the market vulnerable to shocks caused by droughts, global instability, or geopolitical crises. The Council emphasized that building such reserves is critical to ensuring food security and economic stability.
In its report on the competitive functioning of Morocco’s milling sector, the Council noted that the National Office of Cereals and Pulses, which is tasked with managing grain reserves, is hindered by an incomplete regulatory framework. Although Law 12-94 grants the Office the authority to create grain reserves, the necessary implementing decree which defines how reserves should be established, stored, and financed has never been issued. This legal gap has left the country exposed to supply shortages and unpredictable global market disruptions.
The report also highlighted Morocco's heavy dependence on grain imports, exacerbated by unfavorable climatic conditions and geopolitical crises. It called for urgent reforms to ensure the country’s long-term food resilience and sustainability, urging the government to publish the missing regulations and prioritize the development of a clear vision for sustainable food self-sufficiency.
The Council stressed that strengthening grain storage is no longer a temporary solution but a structural necessity. It recommended creating safety stocks that exceed daily operational needs, allowing Morocco to absorb shocks from climate change or global instability. These reserves would also stabilize local markets, shielding the economy from international price swings and supporting local farmers by guaranteeing a consistent market for their produce.
To finance this initiative, the Council proposed establishing a special fund, supported by the state budget, sector-specific aid, and public-private partnerships. It argued that such measures are crucial to protect Morocco’s agricultural sector and improve food security in the face of growing global challenges.
