RABAT: Moroccan state grains agency ONICL has bought 178,000 tonnes of loal soft wheat at 2,545 to 2,880 Moroccan dirhams ($290-$330) per tonne, a few days after issuing a tender to buy 160,000 tonnes of US durum wheat.

Morocco has extended a freeze on a 17 percent import duty on soft wheat to April 31 to ensure a regular supply of the commodity to the domestic market after drought hit its local harvest last year. The wheat will be used to make subsidised flour.