HIBAPRESS – Casablanca
Moroccan markets are witnessing an unprecedented wave of price increases for a number of vegetables during the current month of Ramadan, foremost among them "local lettuce", which has seen a rocket jump in its price, as it has increased from one dirham per bundle to about 8 dirhams, which raised the indignation and astonishment of consumers.
A number of professionals confirm that this increase is due to the decline in supply compared to the increase in demand, especially with the great demand for fresh vegetables during the month of fasting, as local lettuce is included in the essential components of salad dishes that adorn the iftar tables. The recent floods, due to the abundance of rainfall, also contributed to reducing production, which was directly reflected on the abundance of the product in the markets. Citizens, for their part, expressed their resentment at this sudden increase, considering that the price of 8 dirhams per bundle exceeds the purchasing power of a number of families, especially in light of its coincidence with other increases that concerned various food items. They demanded that the concerned authorities tighten control over distribution channels and limit speculation that may contribute to raising prices unjustifiably. Some vegetable sellers believe that the increase remains temporary and related to the nature of the stage, expecting prices to return to their usual levels with the improvement of supply in the coming weeks, especially if the climatic conditions improve and the supply chains stabilize. Local lettuce remains a new example of the sensitivity of the agricultural market to fluctuations in production and demand, which brings back to the forefront the problem of organizing marketing chains and ensuring price balance, in a way that preserves the interests of farmers and protects the purchasing power of citizens, especially in a month that witnesses a peak in consumption.
