Olive oil, an essential product for many Moroccan households, is experiencing a spectacular increase in its price.
The liter, formerly sold at 60 dirhams, now exceeds 120 dirhams, causing great concern among consumers.
This price surge is mainly attributed to consecutive years of drought, which have severely affected key production areas such as Qalaat Saraghna and Chiadma.
These regions, once prosperous in olive cultivation, are now recording production reduced by 40 to 50% compared to normal years.
Abdelkarim El Shafei, vice-president of the Moroccan League for Consumer Rights, explains that difficult climatic conditions, particularly recent frosts, have worsened the situation.
As a result, the cost of producing a liter of olive oil now reaches 95 dirhams in certain factories, an amount which, once commercial margins are added, explains the record prices observed on the market.
To lower the price, the Moroccan government authorizes the importation of olive oil
Faced with this crisis, the Moroccan government has authorized the importation of olive oil, particularly from Spain and Turkey, where production costs are significantly lower.
A quintal of Spanish or Turkish olives produces around 24 liters of oil, compared to only 14 liters for a quintal of Moroccan olives.
However, Moroccan “Baladi” oil, prized for its exceptional quality, remains the preferred choice of Moroccans.
Its properties, such as prolonged conservation without alteration of color or taste, distinguish it from imported oils, which certainly cost less (around 90 dirhams per liter) but whose characteristics deteriorate over time.
The decision to allow imports could lead to a slight drop in prices in the short term, according to El Shafei, but is not a lasting solution.
The drastic reduction of olive groves in areas like Qalaat Saraghna, where some farmers have opted for alternative crops, is exacerbating the structural crisis in the sector.
While Morocco practically does not export oil or olives, the authorities must find ways to support local production and preserve this vital sector.
In this context, long-term solutions, such as adapted irrigation policies and measures to encourage the planting of olive trees, will be essential to stabilize the market and protect Moroccan consumers.
