Rabat - Amid the ongoing boycott against the high prices of certain Moroccan-made products, dairy company Centrale Danone published a statement on Facebook on Wednesday, denying that it has increased the cost of its milk products over time.
Rabat – Amid the ongoing boycott against the high prices of certain Moroccan-made products, dairy company Centrale Danone published a statement on Facebook on Wednesday, denying that it has increased the cost of its milk products over time.
The denial arrives more than a week after the launch of the boycott targeting Sidi Ali bottled water, Central Danone dairy products, and the Afriquia gas stations.
In the same press release, Centrale Danone apologizes for a statement by Purchasing Director for Centrale Danone, Adil Benkirane, that denounces the boycott and characterizes online protesters as betraying the country and its products.
Centrale Danone confirmed that Benkirane’s statement “does not reflect the company’s official stance.”
Furthermore, the company denied accusations of high prices:
“Conscious of the value of milk and its health benefits, Centrale Danone has maintained the price of milk since July 2013, despite continuous rise of its production expenses.
“Accompanied by erroneous information about an alleged price increase,” the campaign took the company’s staff by “surprise.”
Centrale Danone concluded its statement, emphasizing that it will continue to work “hard to satisfy consumers by serving 78,000 points of sale per day.”
Centrale Danone is the first company to officially comment on the boycott following statements from officials, including Akhannouch, owner of the Afriquia gas company.
Earlier this week, an employee at Centrale Danone told MWN that the factory’s products have been rejected by grocery store owners around the region, emphasizing that the administrators haven’t yet decided to reduce prices, despite the major losses, estimated at 15 to 20 percent. Meetings at Centrale are set for the near future to discuss potential solutions.
On the sidelines of the annual International Agricultural Fair in Meknes (SIAM), Akhannouch condemned the boycott, asserting the ineffectiveness of an internet boycott against 470,000 employees in the dairy sector. Furthermore, he reprimanded citizens, saying they should be thankful for the fact that there are no milk shortages and the product is available throughout the year.
Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Mohamed Boussaid has also denounced the campaign, emphasizing that “We must encourage Moroccan companies and products, unlike some fools who call for a boycott of Moroccan companies.”
The boycott remains ongoing throughout the country, though the Afriquia gas and Sidi Ali have not yet released any official response.
