Prices Skyrocketing in Morocco During Ramadan

By Al-Amin Andalusi, IOL Correspondent

RABAT, October 5, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – With the advent of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, prices of basic foodstuffs and commodities have witnessed inexplicable hikes in Morocco despite abundance of such goods in local markets.

The usual tendency on the part of citizens to stockpile amounts of foodstuffs and vegetables during the early days of Ramadan always brings skyrocketing increases in prices, aggravating the suffering of the poor and low-income brackets who make up a significant percentage of the Moroccan population, according to IOL correspondent.

Wednesday, October 5, is the first day of Ramadan in the northwestern African monarchy.

But reports by the ministry of Industry, Trade and Economic Upgrading downplayed the price hikes, saying the basic goods are already available.

A report by the ministry anticipated, however, a price hike in some products.

Prices of vegetables soared, according to IOL correspondent, quoting the prices of potatoes, a main component of popular dishes in Morocco, that ranged between two to three Dirhams before Ramadan, but doubled to five Dirhams with the first day of fasting.

In Morocco, government estimates say 16 million people live under the line of poverty, according to 2005 reports.

Unemployment rate in Morocco hits 20% among youths, with a further increase in rural areas.

Commodities

Official estimates in Morocco usually show a hike in the consumption of food products during the month of fasting, a habit that is typical across the Arab world.

Moroccans usually use up to 70 million liters of milk, according to government reports, but in Ramadan, 15 million additional liters are to be consumed.

The ministry of industry said 23,000 tons of meat will be showcased during the holy month while the consumption stands at only 21,000 tons.

Some 28,000 tons of poultry will also hit the market, according to government statistics.

Butter consumption in Morocco hits 1,450 tons while in Ramadan the amount usually doubles.

Moroccans don’t normally worry about rice or spices as they are always available on the market in large quantities.