Despite a government-sanctioned decrease in fuel prices earlier this week, cutting diesel by 1 dirham and gasoline by 1.10 dirhams, Moroccan consumers are expressing frustration as several stations continue displaying higher, outdated prices.
The disconnect has sparked public anger, calls for boycotts and renewed questions over transparency in the country’s deregulated fuel market.
Reports from across Morocco indicate that several major distributors have not yet implemented the reduction, a delay that drivers describe as “unjustified stalling.” Industry sources say the lag is often administrative, claiming that some station owners have not yet received formal instructions from their parent companies to update prices.
Industry insiders expect most stations to align with the new rates by midnight Monday. However, the delay has already eroded consumer trust.
The persistence of higher prices at some pumps has placed station managers under scrutiny. When questioned by consumer advocacy groups, some stations cite “stock management” as the main reason, arguing they cannot lower retail prices until current inventory purchased at higher rates is sold.
However, that explanation has drawn criticism from civil society leaders, who say it reflects a double standard in industry practices.
Wadie Madih, president of the National Federation of Consumer Associations, highlighted the contradiction, noting that stations are often quick to raise prices when global markets increase, even when holding lower-cost stock.
Madih said that while price deregulation allows companies flexibility in timing, it does not exempt them from ethical pricing practices. He added that in a deregulated market, consumers hold the ultimate power and can apply “market pressure” by refusing to patronize stations that fail to pass on price reductions in a timely and transparent manner.
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