« Long live the people of Ribat El Kheir and long live the King. » So repeats one of the people who filmed an unusual scene in the weekly souk of this small town in the province of Sefrou, also known as Ahermoumou, infamous for its role in the failed coup d’état against Hassan II in July 1971.

The scene in question took place on Monday March 10. Videos posted on social networks show several people throwing empty plastic crates containing fruit and vegetables at each other and a young man receiving a bunch of bananas in the face. All this took place under the cheers of the market’s visitors and just a few yards away from the local gendarmes. A wave of protest against the high prices  consumers must pay is Behind this and other incidents.

Sardines at 20 dirhams per kilo

The conflicts began with the fishmongers. Some merchants who were selling their sardines at prices between 18 and 20 dirhams per kilogram were said to have really irritated the local shoppers. The anger then spread to red meat and poultry sellers. Before long, the entire souk was ablaze with anger.

« This kind of reaction from consumers has become a bit recurrent. There was Sefrou, and Taza, where people demanded the departure of fishmongers from the souk », points out Bouazza Kherrati, President of the Moroccan Federation on Consumer Rights (FMDC), in an interview with TelQuel.

Before Ahermoumou, a similar scene took place on Saturday March 8 in the weekly souk of the small commune of Bni Frassen in the province of Taza. Again, a viral video shows several people gathered together in conflicts with fishmongers from the souk.

According to the person who filmed it, the fishmongers were strongly criticized by visitors to the market for refusing to lower their prices  which they felt were too high. « Here, the citizens blocked the fishmongers from selling their wares. (…) If everyone did the same throughout Morocco, the vendors would be better supervised », says the same person. The incident forced the fishmongers to collect their goods and leave the souk to avoid any further tension.

Abdelilah effect?

These two separate protests in the weekly souks come almost three weeks after a fishmonger’s unprecedented initiative in Marrakech caused a stir throughout Morocco. The young man named Abdelilah made a name for himself on social media networks where he announced unbeatable prices for sardines at 5 dirhams per kilogram, whiting at 40 dirhams, squid at 50 dirhams and swordfish at 90 dirhams.

His approach had exposed the abusive margins practiced in the fish market because of middlemen and the lack of government regulation. Initially criticized by other fishmongers, Abdelilah managed to maintain his prices which he claimed were intended for the « poorest ». He even opened a new business in Agadir confirming to public opinion that such prices are possible. His initiative was followed by calls for a boycott of products considered expensive in Moroccan markets.

«  »Consumers have the right to refuse to buy the products of their choice, as long as it doesn’t turn into a fight, » says Kherrati. But sometimes people express their anger through inappropriate gestures, which can go so far as to trigger a mass phenomenon. »

« The crowd can be blind, » continues Kherrati. « That’s why, among our missions, we have to explain to consumers the reasons for increases and try to convince them when these are valid. »

Lack of regulation

Whether in the fish, meat or fruit and vegetable markets, middlemen and speculators are the first to be singled out. Although their role is « essential » to the smooth running of supply chains, « over 50% of the price of products goes to these people », as Ahmed Rahhouhe, President of the Antitrust Council, Ahmed Rahhou, admitted during a meeting with the media in February. A year earlier, the Council had already painted the picture for the fruit and vegetable sector by stating that intermediaries act as price makers.

The other main problem is the lack of regulation. Although the market is free in Morocco, the government can intervene against excessive price rises or falls through article 4 of law 104.12 on freedom of prices and competition, recalls Kherrati. « He had already done so during Covid-19 for masks and disinfectants. He can do it again today, now is the time, » he believes.

As for the fish market, the consumer protection leader denounces outdated regulations. « Frankly, it’s an anachronistic situation. The Office National des Fishing dates back to before liberalization (responsible for organizing the marketing of sea-fishing products under the supervision of the Ministry, editor’s note) and should adapt to modern times », he believes. He also calls for a body to be established to regulate market prices, because in his view, without « a scarecrow, siba (anarchy) takes over. »

Written in French by Ghita Ismaili; edited in English by AngloMedia Group