Morocco, Russia ink MOU to bolster grain supply

MOROCCO – Morocco has formalized an agreement to enhance soft wheat imports from Russia to ensure stable grain supplies amid fluctuating international markets.

On November 29, Omar Yacoubi, president of the National Federation of Grain and Legume Traders (FNCL), and Eduard Zernin, president of the Russian Union of Grain Exporters and Producers (Rusgrain Union), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Casablanca to strengthen bilateral trade in grains and legumes, a key area of strategic interest for both nations.

This partnership was initiated during a meeting between around thirty Russian grain exporters and the largest Moroccan importers, including Graderco, Casa Grains and Yellowrock, in a large Casablanca palace, enhanced by the presence of the Russian ambassador to Morocco, Vladimir Baïbakov.

The MoU, effective immediately and valid for one year, aims to facilitate the export of Russian grains to Morocco through enhanced coordination and mutual efforts.

” The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to express the willingness of both parties to participate in joint projects aimed at organizing the export of Russian cereals and legumes to Morocco,” read the MOU document.

The agreement outlines the responsibilities of both parties, including the designation of representatives to oversee the collaboration and regular meetings to review progress and plan activities. Confidentiality is a central tenet of the partnership, with provisions ensuring that neither party discloses sensitive commercial information without consent.

While the agreement imposes no financial obligations on either party, it requires both entities to bear the costs associated with implementing the outlined activities, such as transportation, communications, and accommodation.

” The Memorandum of Understanding does not entail any financial obligation for the parties. The parties are required to inform each other immediately of any event that may have a negative impact on the accomplishment of the tasks described in the Memorandum of Understanding or compromise their achievement.

The MoU also includes provisions for termination with 90 days’ notice or extension by mutual agreement.

Eduard Zernin, who also heads Bio-Ton Agri Corp, a leading grain producer in Russia’s Volga Valley, emphasized the importance of the partnership in fostering a more organized and reliable grain supply chain.

Joining him at the event were Ilya Ilyushin, president of the Federal Center for the Development of Agricultural Export (Agroexport), and representatives of six prominent Russian grain trading firms, including Novosibirsk Hleboprodukt and Resource Agrotrading LLC.

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