HIBAPRESS – Abdel Latif Baraka
Morocco's import of a shipment of Russian gasoil, estimated at around 40,000 tons, brings the issue of fuels back to the forefront of economic discussion with the start of Fatima Ezzahra Mansouri's government, amidst continued pressure on purchasing power and rising transportation and production costs. However, the importance of this shipment remains limited compared to the national consumption volume, which exceeds six million tons annually. This means it contributes to securing supply for a short period, without posing a structural solution to energy security challenges. Its impact on the local market also depends on the cost of import, transportation, storage, and distribution, as well as its marketing conditions.
Diversifying import sources does not necessarily mean a decrease in fuel prices, as this is linked to several factors, including international prices, distribution margins, taxes, and the level of competition within the Moroccan market. Therefore, the challenge for the new government is not limited to ensuring the availability of gasoil, but also includes enhancing transparency in price determination, clarifying how international changes affect the consumer, while ensuring the protection of productive sectors that are directly affected by energy costs.
In this context, the Samir refinery file in Mohammedia remains present in public discussion, as an option worthy of a precise technical, financial, and legal evaluation, without assuming that its restart will automatically lead to lower prices.
