Morocco Spends $1.5 Billion Annually on Butane Gas Subsidies, Minister Reports

Butane gas continues to weigh heavily on Moroccan public finances. Each year, the government allocates more than 15 billion dirhams to subsidize this widely consumed product, Lekjaa declared on Monday, specifying that in 2024, a 12 kg cylinder received an average support of 62 dirhams.

In a written response to a question from the parliamentary group of the National Union of Labor in Morocco (UNTM), the Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget shed light on the mechanisms put in place to relieve low-income households in the face of rising prices. No increase in the price of butane gas "is on the government’s agenda," Lekjaa assured.

The official recalled that the price increase for 3 kg and 12 kg cylinders, by 2.5 and 10 dirhams respectively, occurred after the implementation of the direct social aid program, launched in December 2023, emphasizing that a transition period of more than four months was respected to minimize the effects on vulnerable households.

In 2024, the government mobilized 25 billion dirhams to support 3.9 million families. Each household received between 500 and 1,500 dirhams per month, depending on their situation, Lekjaa stated, adding that 20 billion dirhams were injected into the agricultural sector between 2022 and 2024. An emergency plan is planned for the 2024-2025 season to ensure the availability of essential products at affordable prices.