Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour has defended the government’s approach to price controls ahead of Ramadan, as concerns mount over rising costs of essential goods. The statements came during a parliamentary session addressing the anticipated increase in consumer demand during the holy month.
Mezzour distinguished between legitimate intermediation and what he termed “indecent speculation,” according to reporting from Médias24. He emphasized a strategy focused on fostering competition, monitoring profit margins, and increasing supply, particularly for meat, in anticipation of Ramadan. The minister asserted that national markets are adequately supplied with basic consumer products, a claim reiterated on Monday to the Chamber of Representatives, as reported by h24info.ma and fnh.ma.
Government control operations have been intensified, with approximately 30,000 inspections conducted in January alone, mirroring the monthly average of 365,000 inspections recorded last year. These operations are being targeted based on consumption patterns and identified instances of speculative practices, Mezzour stated.
Specific attention is being paid to the sardine market, with measures implemented in anticipation of the start of the sardine fishing season on February 15th. The government expects this to positively impact market stability. Ongoing interventions are addressing specific issues in various provinces, including areas affected by recent flooding, according to Mezzour. These interventions are carried out by joint commissions conducting daily inspections to combat illegal stockpiling and speculation.
The assurances from Mezzour follow reports of increasing prices for red meat, as highlighted by LeSiteinfo.com, and broader concerns about price hikes during Ramadan, as reported by Maroc Diplomatique and Le Matin.ma. The Observatoire de Protection du Consommateur has reportedly denounced unjustified price increases.
Mezzour’s comments come as the government seeks to manage the increased consumption associated with Ramadan and prevent exploitative pricing practices. The minister did not detail specific actions beyond increased monitoring and supply-side interventions.
