Despite the government’s decision to exempt imports of red meat from customs duties and VAT, prices are still not declining, since the price of a kilogram of beef remains fixed at 120 dirhams, that of minced meat at 130 dirhams. , while the price of lamb exceeds 150 dirhams per kg.
Authorized sources indicate that this decision cost the treasury during the period from January to October 2024 more than 4 billion dirhams, knowing that only 71 importers benefited from these exemptions.
Despite its negative impact on budgetary revenues, this measure has not succeeded in reducing pressure on the markets, nor in helping to lower prices, relays Assabah this Thursday, December 5.
This question raises questions about the usefulness of this procedure, which benefits a handful of importers, as was the case when the government granted them a subsidy for the importation of sheep intended for the sacrifice of Eid Al- Adha.
The delegate minister in charge of the budget, Fouzi Lekjae, during the discussion of the finance bill in the finance committee, attributed responsibility to importers, who would not have accompanied the government’s measures to contribute to the drop in prices. price.
The government has also recognized its failure in its approaches and the emergency measures it had taken to put an end to the rise in red meat prices.
The crisis reached its peak when many butchers went out of business, due to high meat prices and the deterioration of consumers’ purchasing power, adds Assabah.
«Other butchers have been forced to resort to sacrificing dairy cows and sheep, usually reserved for breeding, in order to supply markets.», Explains the daily.
These measures further aggravated the crisis, without having a positive impact on the price of red meat sold in the markets.
Par Hassan Benadad
04/12/2024 at 7:54 p.m.
