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Ramadan Bounty: Morocco's Markets Abundantly Stocked with Varied Offerings

Friday 22 March 2024 - 16:14

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In a reassuring announcement, the Directorate of Competition, Prices, and Compensation, under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy, has declared that Morocco's national markets have been abundantly supplied with a diverse array of goods throughout the first weeks of the holy month of Ramadan, with no shortage of essential products.

The statement, issued today, follows a meeting held on Wednesday by the Interministerial Commission tasked with monitoring supply, pricing, and control operations during this auspicious period. The commission affirmed that the supply of goods in the national markets remains plentiful and varied during the initial nine days of the sacred month.

According to the press release, food prices have remained generally stable, with a notable "tendency to decrease for some products" experiencing heightened demand, such as fruits, meat, fish, and vegetables. This development comes as a welcome relief for low and medium-income citizens who have grappled with the overwhelming burden of surging food costs in recent years, often sparking widespread backlash against the government.

While the decrease in vegetable and fruit prices has been palpable, staples like meat continue to command premium prices, with red meat averaging over MAD 100 per kilogram in numerous butcheries across the Kingdom.

Nonetheless, the prices monitoring committee highlighted that specific vegetables have seen price reductions ranging from 2.5% to 8% compared to the beginning of Ramadan. The directorate further noted that the average price of essential vegetables oscillates between MAD 4 and MAD 7 per kilogram, while fruit prices have decreased by 2% to 3%.

Addressing the pivotal issue of meat prices, the statement acknowledged a slight decrease in the cost of red meat, particularly beef. The government's decision to suspend customs duties on imported cattle destined for slaughter has bolstered the national supply, contributing to this favorable trend.

However, the statement acknowledged that white meat experienced price hikes at the onset of Ramadan, though these eventually witnessed "significant" decreases exceeding 5%. The average selling price of live poultry now stands at MAD 20.50 per kilogram, a notable reduction from MAD 22 per kilogram at the beginning of the holy month.

As Morocco navigates the sacred month of Ramadan, the government's proactive measures and the abundance of diverse offerings in the national markets bode well for the culinary celebrations and sustenance of its citizens during this spiritually enriching period.