As Ramadan begins, Moroccans are turning to social media to express their frustration with the rising prices of basic food items.
The hashtag we boycott has been making waves online, with people calling for a boycott of products like sardines, chicken, red meat, and eggs, which have become too expensive for many families.
The movement started before Ramadan but has grown stronger as food prices continue to climb, making it harder for people to afford everyday essentials.
On the first day of Ramadan, a new online campaign called #Keep_It_to_yourself picked up steam.
This campaign encourages people to stop buying food that is too costly, hoping that this could help bring prices down.
Videos have been circulating on social media urging people to avoid expensive products, starting with sardines and then spreading to other items like meat and eggs.
Hespress interviewed some citizens who voiced strong support for the boycott. Many said that if something is too expensive, they simply shouldn’t buy it.
“If we all stop buying these products, maybe prices will go down,” one Moroccan told Hespress.
“Fish is already 20 dirhams per kilogram, and that’s just too much,” another citizen complained.
Many others agreed, saying that meat, among other products, is expensive for a low-income person and that boycott remains the best course of action.
Despite the growing movement online, market experts say they haven’t seen much change in consumer behavior.
Hicham El Jawabri, a wholesaler in Casablanca, said, “Sales are high, just like the past years during Ramadan. The boycott hasn’t really made a difference.” He also pointed out that the price of meat is expected to go down thanks to a recent royal decision.
Khaled Al Zaim, head of the National Association of Egg Producers, also reported that demand for eggs remains strong and there’s been no noticeable impact from the boycott.
While acknowledging that price hikes are difficult for many families, he said the solution lies with producers. “We’re the first to feel the effects of these price increases, and we’re working to manage it,” he said.
Even though the boycott has yet to make a visible impact on the market, many Moroccans are hopeful it will eventually help lower prices.
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