Sardine Prices Surge in Morocco Ahead of Ramadan, May Hit 30 Dirhams per Kilo

Speculation is rife as Ramadan approaches. From 13 dirhams per kilo, the price of sardines has risen to 15 dirhams, then to 20 dirhams per kilo as of February 12, reports the daily Al Ahdath Al Maghribia, specifying that these successive price increases had been announced by the National Confederation of Maritime Fishing.

The same source recalls the signing of an agreement with the representatives of the wholesalers in the Moroccan ports and markets to increase the retail price of sardines by 25 cents. Consequently, the final consumer will have to spend five more dirhams to buy a kilo of sardines.

The professionals in the sector attribute this surprising rise in the price of sardines to speculators, noting that the price of a crate of sardines is 330 dirhams as of February 12. They hope for a drop in the price of sardines to 30 dirhams per kilo during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Minister of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries, Mohamed Sadiki, in turn recalled that the price of fish in the wholesale markets evolves according to supply and demand and depends on the cost of production. It should be noted that Morocco is the leading producer and exporter of sardines. The kingdom exports them to more than 60 countries, half of them in Africa and the rest on the European market, particularly in France.