Unprecedented gasoline prices in Morocco shock the public

A liter of gasoline has exceeded the threshold of MAD 14 at some stations this Wednesday, as witnessed by Hespress EN, while diesel is nearly going for MAD 12, a new unprecedented record for fuel in Morocco, as the global market slowly recovers its pre-war levels.

Shell and Ola Energy stations are now selling gasoline for the whopping price of MAD 14 per liter, while other distributors have

maintained a relatively lower price tag considering the international oil context.

Afriquia and Winxo station are distributing the hydrocarbons for MAD 12.91 a liter, while Total brands a MAD 12.96/liter tag.

For diesel, prices have remained relatively stable in their spike, with some stations even offering lower prices, as recorded back in the early days of this ongoing month.

Afriquia has seen its price tag for diesel fuel go from MAD 11.20 to MAD 11.06 in the last 15 days, similar to Winxo offering the fuel at MAD 11.06.

Total has maintained the same price as at the beginning of the month, set at MAD 11.20.

Similarly to their gasoline prices, Shell and Ola are retaining the highest pricing offers, selling diesel at MAD 11.91 and MAD 11.85 respectively.

The discrepancies in pricing across Moroccan gas stations are likely due to companies’ internal pricing policies, but the overall rise is fully justified in the current global context.

Amid an international rise in fuel prices due to the instability of major supplying nations and the repercussions of a nearly 3-year-old pandemic, Morocco has been reaping the cost of its fuel dependency.

However, the international price for oil a barrel has been on a steady, slow slump this week, as crude futures fell below $96 a barrel this Thursday, its lowest level this month.

Prices have now nearly retreated to the levels recorded prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as Brent crude futures dropped more than 6% Tuesday, to $99.60 a barrel, having topped $130 at one point last week.

Transportation professionals have been demanding a more direct and personalized form of aid, which culminated in the government launching its nearly MAD 15 billion aid program, this Wednesday.