Meat traders in Morocco are up in arms over the Ministry of Agriculture’s decision to allow tax-exempt imports of calves.
They are accusing the Ministry of Agriculture’s production chains directorate of allowing brokers and private companies to raise meat prices.
This accusation follows the decision to permit tax-exempt imports of calves, sparking concerns of a price hike in national markets.
The general secretary of meat traders in Casablanca-Settat predicts that ordinary citizens will bear the brunt of the decision, which, according to them, will lead to a price increase.
Traders in Casablanca are calling for red meat to be obtained without middlemen or brokers, believing this is the most effective way to drive prices down.
Already, consumers are seeing veal priced at 85 Dirhams, lamb at 110 Dirhams wholesale, and between 120-160 Dirhams in retail markets. Beef prices range from 100-120 Dirhams, with professionals forecasting further price increases due to the involvement of private entities in meat imports.
The Ministry, on the other hand, uses the very same argument meat traders use to justify the move, stressing the aim of allowing the tax exemptions on the imports is to alleviate economic distress by driving prices down.
Meat traders contend that even if tax exemptions are implemented, the core issue remains unresolved. They argue that middlemen and brokers, driven by excessive greed, are akin to voracious piranhas. Their collusive practices and other manipulative strategies are expected to continue driving prices higher, irrespective of tax relief.
