Addressing high seafood costs: Morocco's Affordable Fish initiative success

Morocco has witnessed significant public discourse surrounding exorbitant fish prices, particularly in its coastal cities. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries reports remarkable outcomes from the seventh edition of the "Affordable Fish" initiative, launched on February 22, which has successfully provided citizens access to 2,150 tons of frozen fish at reasonable prices.

This initiative seeks to address the growing demand for affordable seafood, particularly following public indignation over inflated fish prices. Initially, the objective was to distribute over 4,000 tons of fish throughout Morocco. Now, the reach has expanded to over 40 cities, including major urban centers such as Casablanca, Rabat, Salé, Fez, Agadir, Marrakech, and Dakhla.

To enhance accessibility, mobile fish caravans are also deploying to rural areas, ensuring that communities are not left uninformed of available seafood options, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

Sales points have reported a surge in customer activity, with nearly 400 visitors engaging with each location daily. The increased demand reflects public confidence in the quality and pricing of the frozen fish supplied. All products undergo rigorous safety inspections conducted by the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA), ensuring consumer protection.

Looking ahead, the ministry plans to bolster distribution efforts through improved logistics and collaboration among stakeholders within the fishing industry. This strategic planning aims to sustain seafood availability throughout Ramadan.

The rise in fish prices has sparked ongoing debates since a young entrepreneur from Marrakech began selling sardines at MAD 5 ($0.50) per kilo, a sharp contrast to the prevailing market price of approximately MAD 25 ($2.50). This endeavor has cast a spotlight on the role of middlemen, known derogatorily as “Chnaqa,” who are often blamed for excessively inflating prices. Other fishermen have corroborated this concern, revealing that wholesale sardine prices generally range from MAD 2.5-3 ($0.25-0.30), leading to questions about the significant markup passed on to consumers.