African nation resumes purchasing Russian wheat

After shipments were halted due to Western sanctions on Moscow, Morocco will receive the first grain shipment.

Asharq News reported on Tuesday that Morocco has started importing Russian wheat once more since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine.

According to the publication, which cited grain traders, the first shipment is anticipated to reach the country of North Africa soon.

Last week, two Russian ships each carrying 30,000 tonnes of wheat sailed from one of the nation’s ports for Morocco, according to the site. Following a reduction in local production due to the dry season, Russian wheat deliveries are anticipated to refill grain reserves in the North African nation.

Early last year, when Moscow was shut off from the SWIFT financial messaging system and it became challenging to pay for goods through Moroccan banks directly, the monarchy ceased purchasing wheat from Russia.

The major Russian banks were cut off from the SWIFT network, based in Belgium, which enables international banking transactions, last year as a result of Western sanctions against Russia. Blocking sanctions are also imposed on a number of Russian lenders, making it illegal for Western financial institutions to work with them.

According to Asharq, Morocco has recently discovered ways to evade SWIFT in its business dealings with Russia.

Morocco continues to be a vital trading and economic partner for Russia in Africa. Such a collaboration is crucial in a geopolitical environment characterised by escalating food and energy problems, according to Vladimir Baibakov, the Russian ambassador to Rabat, who made the statement to TASS earlier this month.

Russia, a significant supplier of wheat, is prepared to provide Morocco with grain at a fair price, he said.