Morocco has become the leading export destination for European Union wheat in the 2022-2023 crop year.

Sales to other countries have been hampered by renewed competition in the Black Sea, after the disruption of the war between Russia and Ukraine eased the wheat market.

With increased import needs after a drought-stricken harvest, Morocco has become a more important market than usual for EU wheat.

Reuters reports that the country plans to import an additional 1.5 million tons of soft wheat between March and May.

According to the same source, steady demand from Morocco, as well as strong sales to Algeria, China and Egypt, have helped France, the EU’s largest wheat producer, sell most of a surplus of non-EU exports estimated at just over 10 million tons.

Competition from the Black Sea has returned to the forefront since the middle of the season, the news agency adds.

Ukrainian volumes are supported by a wartime Black Sea corridor, while Russia has found outlets for its record 2022 crop