Contrary to what some Saudis and Emiratis are stirring up in public opinion in these times of COVID-19, Morocco is not facing a food crisis. With its agricultural lands, Moroccans produce well beyond their needs.
All indicators are in the red at the level of Moroccan households. Their morale is at its lowest due to the raging pandemic, which is making their lives harder than usual.
A few days before the start of the month of Ramadan, the markets are deserted. Food products are available, but there are very few buyers.
More than twenty residents of Dakhla were admitted on Friday to the emergency room of the Regional Health Delegation Center in Oued Eddahab, after a food poisoning.
The first effects of the coronavirus pandemic are already there. Thus, some Moroccan consumers have already noted a sharp increase in the prices of vegetables and legumes.
After experiencing strong speculation, the prices of the majority of products have been on a downward trend this week compared to the previous week. On Thursday, the inter-ministerial commission responsible for monitoring supply, prices and price and quality control operations was pleased with this drop, which will allow the population to stock up without stress.
The UN and the WTO are sounding the alarm on a risk of "food shortage" that could be caused by disruptions related to the coronavirus in international trade and food supply chains.
Due to the coronavirus epidemic and the strengthening of containment rules, including the closure of open markets, Moroccan fruits and vegetables, which are very popular in the country, will no longer be able to cross the borders of France.
Starting this Friday, March 27, 2.5 million quintals of subsidized barley will be distributed to the benefit of livestock farmers in areas affected by the rainfall deficit.
In Europe, fruits and vegetables from Morocco continue to be in vogue despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Europeans are facing a myriad of dysfunctions in supply chains, including a lack of manpower.
The data presented by the services of all the ministerial departments concerned with supply, prices and control indicate a stability of prices for most of the most consumed products in all regions of Morocco. This is what the inter-ministerial commission in charge of monitoring supply, prices and price and quality control has noted.
The industrial flour mill is running at full capacity, with a daily flour production exceeding the usual average by 47%. The goal is to ensure sufficient supply to the domestic market.