فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
A field visit by Zakia Driouch, Secretary of State in charge of Maritime Fisheries, to the wholesale fish market in Lahraouyine, Casablanca, revealed positive indicators regarding the availability of fish, particularly sardines, and a decrease in prices. This achievement was made possible through an agreement with stakeholders in the fish sector, as well as the strategic measure of the biological rest period.
On the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, Zakia Driouch confirmed during her visit to the wholesale fish market that the stock of fish was sufficient to meet demand. In a press statement, she explained that the purpose of the visit was to “ensure the abundance of supply, as it is abundance that leads to lower prices.” She also noted that this mission aimed to ensure that the bulk of the sardine catch is primarily directed to local markets, in coordination with processing plants.
Driouch added that these measures aim to prevent any excessive rise in sardine prices, which are in high demand during Ramadan, potentially leading to price hikes. She expressed satisfaction with the large quantities of fish available in the market, which covers more than 65% of the Kingdom’s markets, at reasonable prices.
Fish Prices by Type
According to media reports, the price of medium-quality sardines ranges between 10 and 13 dirhams per kilogram, while larger-sized sardines are sold at 320 dirhams for a 25-kilogram box, equivalent to 13 dirhams per kilogram at the wholesale market, and up to 17 dirhams when resold outside the market. With transportation costs, the price may reach 25 dirhams per kilogram.
As for other types, their prices were also reasonable. A box of mullet was priced at 100 dirhams, or 10 dirhams per kilogram, while medium-sized ray fish ranged between 40 and 50 dirhams per kilogram. The price per kilogram of “El Ferkh” and medium-sized shrimp was 50 dirhams, while a box of sole fish reached 1,000 dirhams, with resale prices between 55 and 60 dirhams per kilogram. A box of anchovies was priced at 120 dirhams, while a box of whiting reached 2,300 dirhams, equivalent to 65 to 70 dirhams per kilogram upon resale.
Increase in Supply
These prices were made possible by the significant increase in fish supply on the first day of Ramadan. The total quantity supplied to the wholesale fish market in Lahraouyine reached 720 tons, compared to 522 tons last year, representing an increase of 37.9%. According to Mohamed El Ouadaa, the regional delegate of the Maritime Fisheries Department in Casablanca-Settat, the quantity of sardines reached 364 tons, compared to 87 tons last year. He attributed this abundance to the biological rest period implemented two months earlier, which ended two weeks before the start of Ramadan.
It is expected that the coming days of this holy month will continue to see the availability of fish and other food commodities at reasonable prices, contributing to meeting the needs of citizens during this important period.
