A few curious people and loyal consumers take turns passing by a shop in Esch, looking for the Algerian spread El Mordjene Cebon, which has gone viral on social networks. Banned from sale in Europe since Tuesday, some do not hesitate to circumvent the bans to resell the spread that is causing so much talk.
For several weeks, the El Mordjene Cebon spread has been generating real excitement because influencers have been promoting it. The product remains highly sought after even though it was removed from shelves in France on September 17, because incompatible with European Union import rules.
On Thursday early afternoon, several customers were waiting patiently for their turn in a shop in Esch, determined to get their hands on the white spread, which tastes like “Kinder Bueno“. “No matter how far I have to go, I’m going.“, shares Mina, 54, a resident of Esch. Having come with her children, she was determined to get hold of the famous spread.
“My children have never tasted it. As an Algerian, I am proud that a product from our country is so popular.“She made sure to show up at the opening so as not to miss the opportunity: “I don’t care about the price, I just want to please them, we came first“, confides the mother, happy to have been able to buy the famous spread.
Prices are soaring
Since the ban, prices of the spread have skyrocketed. While the product was initially sold at an affordable price, it is now trading at prices significantly higher than the market rate.
“Here I sell it for 8 euros for 200 grams, 12 euros for 450 grams and 15 euros for a 700 gram jar“, confides the manager. He managed to get supplies from a trader friend who still had some stock. On social networks, some 350 gram pots are reselling for up to 30 euros.
“This is totally exaggerated “, laments Assia, a Luxembourg student.”In Algeria, a small pot costs barely 50 cents, and even the largest does not exceed 7 euros. “Before the buzz, she bought her supplies at the local grocery store for around 3 euros, and does not understand this sudden surge in prices.
A ban that raises questions
Made from milk powder imported from France and processed in Algeria, El Mordjene spread faces European restrictions because Algeria does not meet “all the conditions necessary to allow a third country to export to the European Union goods containing dairy products intended for human consumption in compliance with European requirements on animal health and food safety“, the French Ministry of Agriculture explained to AFP on Thursday.
He added that an investigation has been opened for “to determine the circumvention mechanisms which have allowed this product to be placed on the market until now“.
In Luxembourg, however, uncertainty remains among consumers. “What are the risks when buying a spread? “asks a customer. For their part, the traders admit to not knowing whether they really have the right to sell this product or not, despite the official announcement of the ban on the marketing of this product in the EU. We tried to contact the Luxembourg Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture to find out Luxembourg’s position on the subject, without success.
