Sales of Liquor in Morocco Decreased 13%

Marrakech- Jeune Afrique Magazine has reported that sales of liquor in Morocco decreased by 13 percent during the first half of 2014.

The magazine said that the decreasing level of alcohol sales in Morocco is due to a drop in demand because of increased government taxes on alcoholic beverages, as well as the fact that Ramadan occurred in the summer, when alcohol is usually consumed in high quantities. Moroccans refrain from consuming alcohol that month.

In addition, Marjane Holding’s decision to stop selling alcoholic beverages in all of its supermarkets in Moroccan cities contributed to the drop in alcohol sales. Marjane currently has thirty-two supermarkets in the main cities of Morocco.

These reasons contributed to the national drop in alcohol sales, as well the decline of wine-makers’ profits, which fell by approximately 43%.

This trend will continue in 2015, because other Moroccan supermarkets, such as Assima, will also stop selling alcohol.

Statistics regarding the second half of 2014 have not been released yet.