Rabat – Inflation in Morocco is estimated to have reached 2.2% in the first quarter of 2025, up sharply from 0.7% just three months earlier, according to figures released by the High Commission for Planning (HCP).
The shift reflects growing pressure on household budgets, particularly due to food prices.
The HCP attributes this increase to a 3.7% rise in food prices and a 1.1% rise in the cost of non-food items. In its latest economic note, the commission outlines the conditions that shaped the final quarter of 2024 and offers a look ahead to the coming months.
Meat prices drive food inflation
Much of the rise stems from the steady increase in the cost of basic food staples. Meat prices have been inching upward for over a year, adding a full percentage point to the overall inflation rate. Fresh fish and vegetables also played a role. Fish added 0.2 points, while vegetables, after easing pressure last quarter, returned to positive territory with a 0.1-point contribution.
The report also mentions adjustments to certain regulated prices. Tobacco, for example, saw a 2.9% hike in January, adding to the broader trend, though its impact remains limited.
Energy costs pick up after previous dip
Non-food inflation stayed moderate but edged upward. A 1% rise in energy prices followed a decline in the previous quarter, reversing the brief relief consumers experienced at the end of 2024.
Core inflation, which excludes energy, volatile products, and goods subject to state intervention, eased slightly to 2.3%, down from 2.5%. This change signals a slowdown in the pace of price growth for manufactured goods, offering a modest counterbalance to the rising cost of essentials.
As Morocco moves further into 2025, the balance between domestic supply conditions and international market trends will likely determine whether inflation continues to build or levels off.
For many Moroccans, the rising prices have added new strain to already tight household budgets. Shoppers at markets and grocery stores voice frustration over the cost of everyday items, from meat to vegetables. As inflation shows few signs of easing, many are left hoping that relief is on the way.
