Soaring chicken and egg prices are a growing concern for householders. Since last summer, prices have been rising steadily, to the point of causing great concern among consumers and retailers alike. As a reminder, the steepest price rise reached 30 dirhams (USD 3) per kilo a few months ago.
Today, the price fluctuates between 22 and 25 dirhams (USD 2.2 and 2.5) per kilo, depending on the souks and supermarkets. For eggs, the price is 1.5 dirhams (USD 0.15) / unit, compared with 2.50 or even 2.80 dirhams (USD 2.8) for so-called beldis eggs (eggs from free-range chicken).
These recurrent price rises are due to the rising cost of raw materials, notably cereals used to feed chickens, speculation by certain producers, the multiplication of intermediaries throughout the marketing chain (from stable to market), and the absence of regulation and the rare inspection operations...
According to the Interprofessional Poultry Federation (Fisa), “ the determination of sales prices for poultry products on national markets is the result of strict supply and demand mechanisms ”. This allows speculators to make the most of the current situation, to the great detriment of consumers.
During the week, which coincided with the festive season, the price per kilo fluctuated between 22 dirhams and 25 dirhams (USD 2.2 and 2.5) (depending on the town, traditional markets (souks), and supermarkets). As for eggs, they vary between 1.50 Dirhams and 2.50 Dirhams for beldi (free-range) chicken. With Ramadan just two months away, the high prices of these staple foods are a cause for concern. All the more so as red meat has reached its peak (120 dirhams (USD 12) per kilo on average), despite cattle and sheep imports. It should be noted that since red meat prices have soared, households on limited incomes are turning more to poultry, for lack of means. Faced with this situation, the Minister of Agriculture (Ahmed El Bouari) and the Director General of the Food Safety Agency (ONSSA) received a delegation of FISA executive members. The aim is “ to examine the poultry sector and take stock of national market supplies of poultry meat and eggs for consumption ” on the eve of the month of fasting. Poultry industry professionals sound reassuring about this month’s peak consumption of poultry, eggs, and fish. They assert having taken all the necessary steps to guarantee normal market supplies.
Amin RBOUB
