Gold Prices Soar in Morocco: Wedding Dreams and Savings at Risk

According to professionals in the sector, this increase is a direct consequence of tensions and volatility in global prices. A jeweler explains to the newspaper Le Matin that "any variation in the price of an ounce of gold on a global scale is immediately reflected in our market," forcing local players to adjust their prices to avoid losses. To this base cost are added manufacturing costs, taxes, and customs duties, which increase the final bill.

However, this explanation is deemed insufficient by the Moroccan Observatory for Consumer Protection. Its president, Hassan Aït Ali, believes that the international situation is not the only cause. He points to speculative practices and a lack of transparency in the national market, where "certain parties take advantage of the lack of rigorous control to artificially inflate prices."

Hassan Aït Ali recalls that gold represents a financial haven for many households facing inflation. Any manipulation of prices therefore directly affects the savings and purchasing power of families. He calls for the strict application of laws on competition and consumer protection, as well as the provisions of the Criminal Code punishing commercial fraud.

In the face of this situation, the Observatory recommends the establishment of a national price monitoring mechanism, requiring jewelry stores to display their prices daily. It also recommends strengthening controls and applying deterrent sanctions. In the absence of regulatory measures, Moroccan households risk seeing this precious metal, both a cultural value and a precautionary savings, become an inaccessible luxury.