Non-food index in Morocco increases by 0.4% in August 2021

The Higher Commission for planning (HCP) announced that its consumer price index results (CPI) rose by 0.4% in terms of the non-food index in August 2021, compared to the same period last year.

The CPI index has seen a stagnation in August compared to the previous month. This change is the result of the decrease in the food index by 0.4% and the increase in the non-food index by 0.4%.

HCP also recorded a decrease in food products, observed between July and August 2021 mainly concerning vegetables by 3.0%, meats by 2.3%, Fish and seafood by 1.7%, and Milk, cheese, and eggs by 0.5%.

On the other hand, prices increased for fruits by 2.8%, Oils, and fats by 1.1%, and Mineral water, soft drinks, juices by 0.2%. For non-food products, the increase mainly concerned “fuel” prices by 0.5%.

The most significant increases in the CPI were recorded in Agadir with 1.0%, followed by Al-Hoceima with 0.9%, Errachidia with 0.6%, Marrakech with 0.5%, and then Tangier with 0, 4%. On the other hand, decreases were recorded in Kenitra with 0.7%, in Rabat and Settat with 0.4%, and in Fez and Safi with 0.2%.

Compared to the same month of the previous year, the consumer price index recorded an increase of 0.8% in August 2021 as a result of the increase in the non-food products index by 2, 0%, and a drop in food products by 1.0%.

For non-food products, the variations range from a decrease of 0.4% for communication, and an increase of 6.1% for Transport.

Under these conditions, the underlying inflation indicator, excluding products with volatile prices and products with public pricing, seeing an increase of 0.2% in August 2021 compared to July 2021 as well as an increase of 1.7% compared to August 2020.

The Government has been implementing a series of measures to protect the purchasing power of citizens and reduce social disparities, according to a report on the Executive’s balance for 2017-2021.