Morocco says Russia-Ukraine crisis will have no impact on its market supply

RABAT - The Russia-Ukraine crisis will have no impact on the national market supply, said Thursday the Minister Delegate in charge of Relations with Parliament, Government Spokesperson, Mustapha Baitas.

"This conflict will have no impact on the Moroccan market supply and the availability of necessary food," said Baitas at a press briefing after the Council of Government, noting that the government has taken the initiative to import large quantities of wheat during January and February.

“The national stock of soft wheat and durum has been strengthened,” he said, adding that the government will take the necessary measures to reduce the impact of rising prices of some products.

The North African kingdom is reeling from the consequences of its worst drought in decades.

The national average rainfall for this rainy season so far is just 7.5 centimeters (3 inches), which is 64% lower than a normal year, according to a statement by the royal palace. It said 10 billion dirhams ($1 billion) have been allocated to mitigate the drought's impact on the agricultural sector and the economy as a whole.

Morocco is the latest of several countries to see public anger erupt over high global energy prices, which are driving decades-high inflation numbers around the world.