Rabat – Morocco’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.3% in February compared to the previous month.
According to data from the High Commission for Planning (HCP), this increase entails higher food and fuel costs, which continue to shape household spending.
Food prices rose 0.6%, with notable increases in fruits (+3.3%) and vegetables (+2.7%).
Prices for seafood, dairy products, eggs, coffee, tea, and cocoa also went up by 1%. Meat prices, however, dropped by 0.7%, while oils and fats saw a 0.6% decline.
Non-food products recorded a 0.2% increase, largely due to a 1.9% rise in fuel prices.
Some cities experienced sharper price fluctuations than others. Casablanca and Fez recorded the highest increases at 0.6%, followed by Rabat, Meknes, Laayoune, and Beni Mellal at 0.5%.
Oujda and Tangier saw a 0.4% rise, while Errachidia stood at 0.3%. In contrast, Guelmim saw a 0.3% drop, and prices in Marrakech, Settat, and Safi fell by 0.2%.
Overall, consumer prices rose by 2.6% compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.6% increase in food products and a 1.2% rise in non-food items. The non-food category showed mixed trends, with transportation costs declining by 1.7% while restaurant and hotel prices rose by 3.7%.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile and state-regulated prices, edged up by 0.2% from January and stood 2.4% higher than in February 2024.
Halfway through Ramadan, Moroccans are still facing a spike in food prices, which adds to the financial strain many already feel. Fruits, vegetables, and dairy products cost more than before, making it harder for families to prepare traditional meals.
Conversations in markets and homes revolve around this frustration, as people struggle to keep up with the rising costs. Despite government efforts, many see little relief, and the holy month feels heavier on household budgets than ever.
