Morocco: A surge in olive oil prices that worries consumers and authorities

Morocco is facing an unprecedented rise in olive oil prices, reaching up to 120 dirhams per liter in some regions. This crisis, fueled by successive droughts and sustained demand, is raising serious concerns among consumer protection associations, which point to the risks of speculation and monopolies. Bouazza Kherrati, president of the Moroccan Federation of Consumer Rights, explains that the crisis goes beyond climate challenges. “The intervention of intermediaries before and after the harvest, aimed at monopolizing the market, has amplified the rise in prices,” he tells Hespress. According to him, Morocco’s recent opening to imports of Brazilian olive oil could alleviate these pressures. This alternative, considered more affordable than traditional imports from Spain and Italy, could limit the impact of speculators. For his part, Ali Chtour, president of the Moroccan Association for the Defense of Consumer Rights, denounces fraudulent practices on the market. He calls for an ...