Moroccan activists call for goods boycott to combat soaring prices

Monday 03 March 2025 - 10:45

By: Dakir Madiha

Moroccan activists call for goods boycott to combat soaring prices

Moroccan social media activists have launched a widespread campaign urging citizens to boycott essential goods such as chicken, eggs, meat, and vegetables in response to surging prices. The initiative, which has gained momentum online, seeks to pressure markets into lowering costs to more affordable levels for the average household.

Building on the success of a recent fish market boycott, the movement aims to reduce the price of eggs to one dirham and chicken to less than MAD 14 ($1.40) per kilogram. Activists argue that these items, crucial for Moroccan families, have become increasingly unaffordable, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, a time when food consumption traditionally rises.

This latest effort follows a groundbreaking campaign led by a young man from Marrakech, Abdelilah, who exposed alleged price manipulation in the fish market. His initiative not only highlighted irregularities in fish pricing but also ignited a broader conversation about the oversight of essential goods in Morocco.

Social media users are rallying behind the boycott, calling for serious and collective participation. Activists believe that the same persistence that challenged fish prices can be applied to other staple foods, where unjustified price hikes have strained family budgets.

The timing of the campaign is particularly significant, as Moroccan households face increased financial pressure during Ramadan, a period when food expenses typically soar. By leveraging consumer power, organizers hope to instigate meaningful change in what they view as an inequitable pricing system for basic necessities.

In response to these concerns, authorities have activated a national hotline, "5757," allowing consumers to file complaints and observations about food prices during the holy month. The initiative underscores the urgency of addressing food affordability, as essential items remain central to Ramadan meals across the country.