Morocco’s Cafes and Restaurants Struggle as Food Prices Soar

In a letter addressed to the Competition Council, cafe and restaurant owners denounce the continuous rise in the prices of raw materials and basic products for the past two years. These professionals in the catering sector claim that this situation is becoming "unbearable", both for them and their customers.

The price of a kilo of red meat has gone from 60 to 140 dirhams, while that of chicken has gone from 11 to 28 dirhams. Similarly, the price of butter has gone from 35 to 120 dirhams, that of olives from 12 to 40 dirhams and that of olive oil from 25 to 110 dirhams. As for fruits and coffee, the basic product of the sector’s activity, their price has doubled in less than three months.

This galloping inflation has led to 40% drops in revenue for some professionals and total loss of profits for others, lament the owners of cafes and restaurants who also complain about the increase in the municipal tax on the occupation of public space dedicated to terraces.

This situation is not without affecting the purchasing power of Moroccans who have reduced their visits or their spending in these establishments.