The surge in seafood prices, especially sardines, has ignited a debate about the underlying causes of the increase, which reached unprecedented levels during the summer of 2024.
This price spike has led many families, particularly from vulnerable and middle-income groups, to exclude seafood from their diets.
In response to the crisis, fishing industry professionals have appealed to the Competition Council, requesting intervention to regulate fish sales channels and control prices in Morocco.
They also seek to address illegal practices impacting the market. The Confédération nationale des commerçants de poisson en gros dans les ports et marchés marocains has proposed measures to review fishing methods and improve market practices.
In a recent press release, the Confederation highlighted that wholesale fish traders adhering to Law 08-14 comply with regulations from port receipt to wholesale markets, under the oversight of the National Fisheries Office. According to the Confederation, three primary factors affect fish prices in Morocco:
- Supply and Demand Imbalances: An ongoing issue with regulating market access and managing sustainable resources.
- Climatic Conditions: These impact the marine environment, with non-compliance to standards and overfishing exacerbating resource depletion.
- Lack of Strategic Value Addition: The Confederation calls for a formal auction system, particularly for sardines, to align with the Halieutis strategy aimed at enhancing value, improving fishermen’s incomes, and ensuring fish stock sustainability.
The Confederation advocates for a collective agreement involving the Competition Council, the Office National des Pêches (ONP), the Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires (ONSSA), and the Ministry of Fisheries.
This collaboration is seen as crucial for setting fair purchase prices and ensuring seafood quality from source to consumer. Additionally, the Confederation is pushing for the adoption of a “second sale law” to complement existing fishing and marketing regulations.
Abdellatif Saadouni, President of the Confederation, reported an 85% drop in sardine production in Morocco’s southern ports this year.
Ports such as Sidi Ifni, Tan-Tan, Tarfaya, Laâyoune, Boujdour, and Dakhla, which account for 84% of national production, have experienced severe declines, affecting major wholesale markets in cities like Marrakech, Casablanca, Meknes, Fez, and Tangier.
This production shortfall has driven sardine prices up to 1,000 dirhams per case in some regions. Saadouni attributes the high prices to “stubborn overbidding” rather than market competition issues.
The Confederation urges the Ministry of Fisheries and ONP to revise previous measures and collaborate with authorities to address informal sales, illegal practices, and inadequate fishing method controls contributing to rising seafood prices.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.