Morocco's state grains agency ONICL has issued a tender to import up to 386,600 tonnes of US-origin soft wheat and 330,000 tonnes of US durum wheat under a preferential tariff import quota, European traders said on Monday. The result of the tender will be decided on October 1. The tender calls for shipments to arrive at Moroccan ports by December 31, 2014, traders said.
Morocco, a major grain importer, has agreements with the United States and the European Union to import certain grains at preferential tariffs, with volumes imported depending on the size of the local harvest. Morocco had said on July 29 that it would lower soft wheat import duties on September 1, signalling an earlier start to its annual import campaign.