Poultry Price Hike Exacerbates Living Crisis in Morocco as Human Rights Organization Sounds Alarm

Morocco has recently witnessed a sharp increase in poultry prices, exacerbating the living crisis already affecting citizens. This situation has raised concerns for the Moroccan Organization for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption, which expressed its fears about the deteriorating economic and social conditions in the country.

The price of chicken has reached record levels, exceeding 26 dirhams per kilogram, placing a significant burden on Moroccan families, especially with the rising prices of other essential food items. This increase has led to the launch of popular boycott campaigns under the slogans “Let it crow” and “Let it rot,” in an attempt to pressure traders and the government to reduce prices.

The reasons for this increase are attributed to several factors, including:

1. Rising production costs, especially feed and chick prices.
2. The impact of climatic conditions, such as high temperatures, on poultry production.
3. Multiple intermediaries in the distribution chain, leading to higher final prices.

The Moroccan Organization for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption criticized government policies, describing them as “confused” and contributing to the worsening of the price crisis. The organization called for urgent measures to protect consumers and support producers, warning of the potential escalation of public anger and social tension if the crisis continues.

Under these circumstances, Moroccan citizens face increasing difficulties in meeting their basic needs, especially with red meat prices exceeding 100 dirhams per kilogram. This situation has led many families to switch to chicken consumption as a cheaper alternative, but the recent price increase may also limit this option.

It’s worth noting that the Moroccan government has taken some measures to address rising prices, such as subsidizing some basic commodities and allocating a budget to support citizens’ purchasing power. However, these efforts have not yet succeeded in curbing the escalating prices, raising questions about the effectiveness of the economic policies in place.

Amidst this crisis, the Moroccan citizen remains the weakest link, facing increasing pressure on their purchasing power. With the continued rise in prices, there are growing fears of worsening social and economic conditions in the country, calling for more effective and comprehensive government action to address the root causes of the problem and protect the most affected groups.