Surge in Chicken Prices Creates Stir in Morocco

Monday 18 December 2023 - 15:40

Morocco is grappling with discontent among its populace as the prices of chicken continue to rise, placing additional strain on already tight household budgets. Recent market surveys indicate that poultry costs have surged over the past few months, stabilizing at approximately 21 to 23 Moroccan dirhams per kilogram in various markets across Casablanca.

The soaring prices are causing a squawk among chicken farmers, who now face untenable production costs. Industry experts estimate that it takes between 15.50 to 16 dirhams to rear each kilogram of chicken. This increase is primarily attributed to the elevated expenses associated with imported feed ingredients such as corn and soybean meal, which are cutting into razor-thin profit margins.

The absence of government subsidies to counter these rising costs has left farmers in a precarious position. Faced with the prospect of financial turmoil, many warn that they may be compelled to cull their flocks simply to survive.

One struggling farmer expressed the dilemma, stating, "We're burdened with heavy debts from the purchase of feed and chicks. Without financial relief, we cannot ensure domestic production capacity or affordability for Moroccan consumers who rely on poultry as a vital protein source."

As policymakers grapple with this predicament, ordinary Moroccans find themselves shouldering the weight of surging poultry prices. Without prompt government intervention and private sector support, industry analysts caution that the country's chicken crisis is unlikely to be resolved in the near future.

In the face of this challenging situation, there is a pressing need for decisive action to alleviate the economic strain on both farmers and consumers alike, ensuring that the chicken predicament doesn't continue to hover over Morocco's economy.