S&P Global: Moroccan grain buyers face port congestion as M.E. conflict disrupts shipping
Delays at ports and rising freight costs are slowing grain flows into Morocco, according to S&P Global.
MOROCCO – Moroccan grain buyers are dealing with long delays and rising costs as port congestion and global shipping disruptions strain supply lines, according to a report by S&P Global.
Market sources told Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, that severe weather earlier this year and ongoing conflict in the Middle East have slowed vessel movement and filled up key ports. Wheat importers and millers say shipments now take much longer to arrive, with some cargo still stuck months after dispatch.
“Ports remain congested for the month ahead,” a Morocco-based wheat buyer said. He added that containers shipped in January have yet to arrive, with some goods held in Spanish ports due to limited space in Morocco.
The same buyer said about 80 ships waited off Casablanca in mid-February, including around 25 carrying cereals. “There is a strain at the ports due to earlier weather-related disruptions,” he said.
Shipping costs have also climbed. Vessels from France now cost about US$15,000 per day, while those from the Americas cost about US$25,000 per day, according to the buyer.
The Middle East conflict has forced shipping firms to change routes between Asia, Europe, and Africa. As a result, Morocco’s Tanger Med Port has taken on a bigger role as ships move along Atlantic routes.
Data from Morocco’s port authority shows that Tanger Med handled more than 161 million metric tons of cargo in 2025 and processed over 11 million containers. This marked an 8.4 percent rise from the previous year.
Traders say the current situation may push insurance costs higher and increase penalties tied to delays and storage. Longer routes around Africa have also raised fuel use, which has added to freight costs. Shipping firms have introduced extra charges ranging from US$1,500 to US$3,300 per container, with special equipment fees reaching US$4,000.
Wider impact on food trade
The disruption is spreading across global food markets, with the Middle East at the center of the strain. The region remains one of the world’s largest wheat buyers and depends heavily on supplies from the Black Sea. The ongoing conflict has raised freight and fuel costs and caused currency swings, which together are pushing wheat prices higher, according to S&P Global.
Prices have already started to move. Platts data shows Black Sea wheat rose by about $6 per metric ton to around US$237 per metric ton in March, reflecting tighter supply and higher transport costs.
Trade flows have also changed. Corn shipments that once moved into Iran now head to ports in the Mediterranean and Red Sea. At the same time, sugar and chicken importers are turning to road transport from ports in Oman and the United Arab Emirates due to congestion at key sea routes.
While many countries still hold several months of wheat stocks, traders say these changes are adding pressure across supply chains. Rising freight rates, longer delivery times, and higher insurance costs continue to affect not just wheat, but also corn, sugar, and meat markets.
Sign up to HERE receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
