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Rabat – Ensuring the supply and stable prices of essential foods during the month of Ramadan is Morocco’s head of government Aziz Akhannouch priority, as he explained in a chaired meeting on March 14.
As the demand for food products witnesses an upward trend every Ramadan, the government intends to closely monitor the food supply situation in Moroccan markets as well as to control the quality and prices of products.
The departments concerned are set to control and monitor the food supply across Morocco to ensure its best conditions and meet the purchasing power of Moroccan households.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) will focus on ensuring the quality of food, and plans to seize unfit and unlabelled products for consumption.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests ensures the steady supply of high-consumption foods to markets, in particular, flours, tomatoes, dates, meat, and eggs, according to a press release.
“The daily monitoring of the market over the past month shows that it will generally be supplied satisfactorily,” the statement noted, highlighting that certain products will be subject to price controls by the competent authorities due to rainfall deficit the country witnessed.
Pulses, fruits, and dates
Regarding pulses, the current stock is sufficient to cover the needs of the month of Ramadan for those in the most-consumed categories (chickpeas, lentils, and beans).
For chickpeas, beans, and field beans, the current stock can ensure roughly seven months of consumption, while the stock of lentils can ensure around four months of consumption nationwide.
Tomatoes grown in the greenhouse, in mainly 90% from the sous-massa region, are expected to cover the needs of Ramadan. The government estimates that tomato production will be sufficient for the holy month.
For onions, the prices observed on the wholesale market during March are stable and similar to the same period of last year. Demand for potatoes will also be largely met during Ramadan, the government assured.
Meanwhile, the supply of dates in the coming month will be ensured by stocks from domestic production, which reached 160,000 tonnes, increasing by 12% compared to the previous season, and by imports made before Ramadan.
The prices of dates are set to remain at their usual levels, varying according to the quality and origin of the product.
Regarding citrus production, it has increased by 15% compared to last year, whereas prices fell by 39% compared to the same period, or MAD 2.5 per Kg on the wholesale market.
The banana market is supplied by local production and imports, while prices at the wholesale market are lower than in 2021. Apple production has increased in recent years while prices fell by 18% compared to last year.
Overview of animal products
The supply of milk and milk products are able to cover the average estimated demand at nearly 105 million liters during Ramadan, the government explained, emphasizing that milk prices are stable.
For butter, the supply of the market will be well assured to meet the national needs, the statement added.
The quantity of red meat (beef, lamb, and goat) available for the months of April 2022 remains sufficient to cover the consumption of Moroccan households with normal prices.
As regards to white meat, the foreseeable supply for the month of April will be sufficient as well as the forecasted supply of eggs, fish, and seafood.
Cereals and common processed foods
The cereal market currently relies on a stock of soft wheat to cover more than four and half months, this is due in particular to the pace of imports following the suspension of customs duties on common wheat and the flat-rate premium system.
Rice production and import are able to cover more than eight months of consumption needs of households.
The supply of vegetable oils in the national market remains normal, the government stressed that edible oils are mainly supplied by imports of crude oil and are directly impacted by the rise in international prices.
Sugar production shows sufficient supply to cover consumption needs in Ramadan as the available stocks can cover several months of consumption while prices remain stable.
Read Also: Morocco Introduces Plan to Protect Food Supply During Ramadan
