Rabat – Morocco recorded a slight increase in consumer prices in February, with the national index rising by 0.5% compared to the previous month.
According to data from Morocco’s High Commission for Planning (HCP), the change reflects higher costs across both food and non-food categories, with food products playing the leading role.
Food prices rose by 0.8% over the month. Fish and seafood registered the sharpest jump at 4.5%, followed by fruit at 2.1% and meat at 1.6%. Vegetables also moved upward by 1%. Dairy products, along with coffee, tea, and cocoa, posted more limited increases of 0.4%.
Not all food items followed the same path. Prices for oils and fats fell by 2.2%, while soft drinks, mineral water, and juices saw a slight decline.
Outside the food basket, prices increased by 0.3%. Fuel costs stood out, with a rise of 3.1%, which continues to influence overall price trends and household expenses.
The situation differs from one city to another. Oujda and Tangier recorded the highest increases at 1.4%, while Tetouan followed at 1.2%.
Fez, Kenitra, and Al Hoceima posted moderate gains of 0.7%. Casablanca, Rabat, and Settat saw smaller increases of 0.3%. In contrast, Safi recorded a drop of 0.4%, while Guelmim and Errachidia also reported slight declines.
Despite this monthly rise, the broader trend over the past year points to easing pressure. Consumer prices fell by 0.6% compared to February last year.
This decline comes from a 2% drop in food prices, which offset a 0.4% increase in non-food products.
Transport costs decreased notably over the year, while prices for other goods and services moved upward.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile and regulated prices, rose slightly by 0.2% over one month. On a yearly basis, it declined by 1.2%, which suggests that underlying price pressures remain contained.
These figures show a complex picture. Short-term increases, especially in food and fuel, continue to affect daily expenses, even as overall inflation shows signs of slowdown.
