Once an affordable source of protein for modest families unable to afford red meat, poultry and eggs are experiencing a dizzying rise that is pushing consumers out of their ranks, pointing to a situation that is disrupting their eating habits. Mindful of these concerns, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) is stepping up to the plate.
To this end, the parliamentary group officially requested the intervention of the Competition Council (CC) to closely examine the situation of the poultry sector, accused of possible anti-competitive practices affecting the purchasing power of citizens.
“Since the start of 2024, prices of poultry and eggs have reached peaks, causing concern among Moroccan consumers”, recalls the PJD press release.
According to the party, the average price of a kilogram of chicken stood at 16.75 dirhams during the first eight months of the year, before recently rising to 30 dirhams in several regions. Eggs are not spared: in certain localities, a tray of 30 eggs now exceeds 70 dirhams, causing a wave of indignation, particularly among low-income households.
The poultry sector plays a crucial role in the Moroccan economy. With an estimated turnover of 32.4 billion dirhams in 2022, it represents a major source of employment, offering nearly 465,000 direct and indirect work opportunities. In addition, this sector ensures self-sufficiency in white meat and eggs, essential products for Moroccan households.
Poultry meat production has experienced spectacular growth, from 70,000 tonnes in 1980 to 695,000 tonnes in 2023. Per capita consumption has also increased, reaching 20 kg per year in 2023 compared to 5.5 kg in 1995. As for eggs , annual production now exceeds 5.5 billion units.
In a letter addressed to the president of the Commission on Productive Sectors, Abdellah Bouano, president of the PJD parliamentary group, urged the CC to verify whether players in the sector respect the principles of free competition. This includes preventing excessive market concentration, identifying possible collusion and combating agreements aimed at inflating prices to the detriment of consumers.
To defend its position, the PJD relies on several legal provisions, notably article 166 of the Constitution, which confers on the Competition Council the mission of ensuring transparency and fairness in economic relations. The party believes that “current practices could contravene the law on freedom of prices and competition, while harming the financial capacity of Moroccan households”.
The parliamentary group insists on the need for rapid intervention to protect citizens’ purchasing power and restore fair market conditions. This situation highlights the challenges linked to the regulation of a strategic sector, essential to the country’s food security. Caught by the turmoil of rising prices and inflation, households are trying to maintain a balance. The response from the Competition Council is now more urgent than ever.
