Morocco: Alert on the rise in the price of bread

Faced with this prospect, the Moroccan Observatory for Consumer Protection reacted firmly, publishing a press release to warn against any unilateral decision that would weaken the purchasing power of citizens for this product, considered a pillar of national food security.

The consumer protection organization disputes the justification of the bakers based on the high cost of raw materials and energy. For the Observatory, the root of the problem lies more in the opacity that characterizes the cost structure of the sector, the lack of regular quality control, and the disorder prevailing in the flour market. This lack of precise data and transparency places the consumer in a vulnerable position, unable to verify the legitimacy of the arguments put forward to justify a revision of the rates.

A call for respect for the law and an audit of the sector

From a legal standpoint, the Observatory has recalled that the regulations require clear display of prices and formally prohibit unjustified price-fixing agreements or coordinated increases, in accordance with the law on freedom of prices and competition. The organization insists on the need for increased surveillance to prevent any anti-competitive practices or the exploitation of citizens’ need for this essential commodity.

To defuse the situation, the Observatory advocates the urgent opening of a dialogue between the government and the professionals. It is calling for a comprehensive audit to determine the real cost of bread production and is calling for sanctions against establishments that would modify their prices without legal basis. In parallel, consumers are invited to be vigilant, in particular by reporting illegal increases and by favoring bakeries that respect the regulations. The organization assures that it will remain mobilized, ready to use all legal and media recourses to defend the interests of Moroccan families.