Morocco Vows Harsh Penalties for Market Speculation Amid Coronavirus Concerns

While reassuring the availability of all goods on the market, the Minister of Industry promised to closely monitor the situation and asked operators to inform him continuously.

"We will crack down when there is speculation," he promised at the end of a meeting, held at the headquarters of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), with professionals in the distribution sector, on the impact of the coronavirus.

For the minister, there is no point in stockpiling, since all products are available in more than sufficient quantities. Although the pace of consumer purchases has fallen by 40% in recent days, the government is aware that the supply of products is largely sufficient and covers, for some distributors, up to 6 and 8 months.

Moulay Hafid Elalamy also testifies that the shelves of large stores and supermarkets, once emptied due to the strong influx, are immediately refilled with new quantities.