Morocco Considers Olive Oil Export Ban to Combat Rising Prices

For the Moroccan government, the fight against the rise in olive oil prices will undoubtedly go through the ban on its export. Currently, a liter of olive oil should cost between 120 dirhams and 150 dirhams due to a drop in production. Driven by this observation, the government intends to ban the export of this product, widely consumed in Morocco, in order to regulate prices on the domestic market, or even reduce them significantly to relieve Moroccan consumers.

Citing informed sources, the Arabic-language daily Al Akhbar reports that Mohamed Sadiki, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Forests, has already signed this protectionist decision. His colleague Ryad Mezzour, from Industry and Trade, should also sign the decision before its publication in the Official Bulletin.

This decision taken by the government responded to the demands of the professionals in the sector, essentially with the aim of "protecting the purchasing power of Moroccan consumers", assured Rachid Benali, president of the Moroccan Olive Interprofession. Its entry into force should allow the stabilization of the price of a liter of olive oil, around 85 dirhams per liter.

It should be noted that certain products related to the sector such as canned olives will not be affected by this export ban.