Drought or Middlemen: The Puzzle of Rising Food Prices in Casablanca
Unpredictable weather or the intricate workings of intermediaries? This weekend, markets in Casablanca witnessed a surge in the prices of food products, prompting questions about the reasons behind this increase. Among the affected items, the price of a kilogram of tomatoes reached 15 dirhams in certain neighborhoods, particularly in Hay Mohammadi and Hay Hassani, while carrots saw their prices rise to 11 or 12 dirhams.
When asked on Sunday, December 10, 2023, about this increase, a tomato vendor in the Maârif district provided insight into the complexity of the situation. "I don't know where to turn. I bought my crate of 25 kilograms of tomatoes at 12.50 dirhams per kilogram. If we add additional costs and the profit I need to make, the selling price must be around 15 dirhams per kilo," he explained. This observation seems to be echoed by other vegetable vendors.
This price hike raises questions about its underlying causes. Is it primarily linked to unfavorable weather conditions that may have affected harvests, or is it the result of speculative practices by intermediaries? A thorough investigation is necessary to understand the mechanisms behind these sudden fluctuations that impact the purchasing power of Moroccan consumers.