Rabat – Economy and Finance Minister Fouzi Lekjaa said on Friday that the government plans to regulate food exports and reform the marketing and distribution of agricultural products to ensure enough supplies reach the domestic market at affordable prices.
Speaking before the House of Representatives’ Finance and Economic Development Committee during discussions on the 2027 Finance Bill, Lekjaa said tackling high food prices requires several measures, including better control of exports, the modernization of wholesale markets, and improvements to the distribution of meat and fish.
The minister argued that Morocco cannot continue increasing food exports while domestic prices remain high, particularly after seven consecutive years of drought.
He stressed the need to organize and regulate exports in coordination with producers to ensure that local consumers have access to essential food products in sufficient quantities and at reasonable prices.
However, Lekjaa clarified that the proposed approach does not mean returning to the previous export regulation model managed by the former Office of Marketing and Exports. He also said that the reforms would not undermine private businesses but would instead involve different stakeholders in managing the process.
On wholesale markets, Lekjaa said 12 markets across the country need modernization to improve competition and give traders more flexibility in choosing where to purchase products and setting their selling prices.
He added that the government has already prepared a plan for managing these markets and is ready to discuss it.
The minister also addressed the high costs involved in transporting agricultural products from production areas to consumption centers.
He explained that the government’s proposal would involve the state guaranteeing connections between production and consumption areas rather than directly purchasing and selling agricultural products.
Under this approach, regional companies would help connect production areas with markets, reducing the distance between producers and consumers and potentially lowering distribution costs.
Lekjaa said the government remains open to proposals from parliamentarians on how to organize this system and is prepared to discuss possible changes with the relevant ministers.
He added that the different reforms must be implemented together, warning that introducing only some measures could concentrate intermediaries in one part of the supply chain instead of addressing the problem.
Morocco has faced persistent pressure on food prices in recent years, with prolonged drought affecting agricultural production and water availability. The country has also relied on food imports to meet domestic demand for several essential products.
The proposed reforms come as the government seeks to improve food supply chains, reduce distribution costs, and protect consumers from further price increases while maintaining the role of private businesses in the agricultural sector.
