Morocco has introduced hotline 5757 for consumer complaints during Ramadan, addressing food price concerns on Iftar essentials. This service will operate daily to manage reports of fraud and market issues, with the government committed to monitoring prices and supply. Despite reassurances, households fear price increases, particularly in fish markets with notable regional price discrepancies. The government aims to stabilize market practices amidst Ramadan’s economic challenges.
As the holy month of Ramadan begins tomorrow, Morocco has launched a national consumer complaint hotline, 5757, aimed at addressing challenges in food pricing and availability. Amid rising concerns over the costs of essential items for Iftar, this hotline will allow citizens to voice their observations on market supply, pricing, quality, and safety of these products during Ramadan.
Citizens can access the hotline by dialing 5757 from any fixed or mobile phone connected to national networks, with calls charged like standard landline calls. This initiative is intended to facilitate direct communication with consumer complaint monitoring cells established across various provinces.
Operating daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the hotline will provide a platform for reporting fraud, illegal activities, and unfair competition related to market practices. This measure follows a meeting of the Interministerial Commission for Market Supply and Price Monitoring, held earlier in February, aimed at improving market conditions during Ramadan.
Authorities are focusing on ensuring a consistent and adequate supply of essential food products while enhancing control mechanisms to protect consumers from illegal practices. Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, asserted, “The government has implemented numerous measures to ensure product availability for citizens, while maintaining optimal health conditions and prices adapted to their purchasing power.”
Despite official assurances, many Moroccan households remain apprehensive about potential price hikes associated with Ramadan. While products essential for Iftar, such as dried fruits and dates, are plentiful, consumers express concerns regarding the expected increase in prices and call for tighter controls to curb speculation.
An ongoing controversy centers around fish prices, particularly sardines, with significant discrepancies noted across regions. A fishmonger in Marrakech, Abdelilah El Jabouni, caught attention by selling sardines for MAD 5 per kilogram, starkly contrasting with prices of MAD 15-20 in coastal cities like Casablanca and Rabat. This disparity has sparked discussions regarding the role of intermediaries in the supply chain.
Industry experts cite climate change and overfishing as influential factors affecting sardine availability this season. Additionally, a fishing pause was imposed to allow marine resources to regenerate, complicating the market supply further ahead of Ramadan. Traditional markets experience heightened activity, offering opportunities for seasonal vendors, particularly for pastries and dates during this time.
The government remains vigilant, committed to monitoring market practices to counter fraud, monopolies, and speculation that could undermine consumer purchasing power during Ramadan. This holy month presents a distinct blend of culinary tradition and economic challenges for Moroccan families, highlighting the importance of affordable access to essential items.
The Moroccan government has established the 5757 hotline to address consumer concerns about food pricing and availability during Ramadan. This initiative reflects efforts to maintain market stability amid rising prices and to ensure the integrity of essential food supplies. While certain vendors flourish, significant price disparities illustrate market challenges, necessitating ongoing government vigilance to protect consumer interests and maintain purchasing power during this critical period.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
