Morocco Faces Lentil Price Surge: Local Crops Nearly Double in Cost

The price of local lentils has reached 32 dirhams, when it should not exceed 17 dirhams per kilo. As for imported lentils, they are sold at 13.5 dirhams per kilo at the port exit, but at 25 dirhams per kg at the retail level, explains an importer to Assabah, specifying that the price of these imported lentils should not exceed 18 dirhams per kilo at retail.

The national production of lentils is 270,000 quintals on average for a demand exceeding 500,000 quintals, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture. For their part, importers registered with the National Interprofessional Office of Cereals and Legumes face fierce competition from smuggled products.

To fight against speculation, importers call on the competent authorities to strengthen control and verify the origin of lentils at the retail level and dismantle smuggling networks as well as intermediaries who drive up prices.