Gas Price Hike Sparks Surge in Moroccan Snail Dish Costs

In Agadir, the price of a plate of "babbouche" (Moroccan-style snail, editor’s note) has increased by half a dirham, and by one dirham to one and a half dirhams in other cities. The vendors justify this increase by the rise in the prices of butane gas bottles. The price of butane gas in Morocco has increased since Monday, May 20, 2024, following the government’s decision to partially decompensate the subsidy granted to this product. The 3 kg butane gas cylinder now costs 12.5 dirhams, compared to 10 dirhams previously, an increase of 25%.

Experts commented on this increase in the price of snails with Hespress. According to an agricultural technician specializing in snail farming, the increase in snail prices is explained by several factors. The first: this increase is related to production. According to his explanations, snail farming in agricultural holdings is affected by the drought that has been prevailing in Morocco in recent years. The second factor: the increase is related to consumption, and only the itinerant "babb