Olive oil prices in Morocco are experiencing an unprecedented surge, reaching around 120 dirhams per liter for the new harvest. This dizzying increase is causing concern among consumer associations, who fear an increase in fraudulent practices and the formation of monopolies. As a staple food in Morocco, the scarcity of olive oil also fuels speculation.
Bouazza Kherrati, president of the Moroccan Federation of Consumer Rights, attributes this situation in part to the role of intermediaries. According to him, these aggravate the rise in prices beyond the already significant impact of successive droughts. He nevertheless welcomes the initiative to import olive oil from Brazil, an alternative to traditional sources such as Spain and Italy, also affected by the shortage. Brazilian olive oil, he explains, is offered at more affordable prices, which could counter speculation.
Ali Chtour, president of the Moroccan Association for the Defense of Consumer Rights, for his part accuses speculators of taking advantage of the crisis to manipulate prices and calls on the government to intensify controls and firmly sanction any manipulation of the market.
A multifactorial crisis
Several elements are at the origin of this situation: repeated droughts, rising temperatures, the destruction of olive groves due to climate change, the spread of diseases and the increase in production costs linked to fertilizers and pesticides. These factors force producers to adjust their prices to compensate for their losses.
Faced with this situation, Ali Chtour calls for supporting small and medium-sized farmers by facilitating their access to modern techniques, such as drip irrigation, in order to optimize production and reduce costs. He also urges consumers to be cautious of olive oils sold on the street, often of dubious origin and presenting health risks.
The Minister of Agriculture, Ahmed El Bouari, confirmed an 11% drop in olive production compared to last year, and 40% compared to a normal year. Olive oil production is estimated at 950,000 tonnes for this season. The government announced the implementation of measures to regulate the market, notably through adjustments to imports and exports.
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