Fuel prices in Morocco recorded a slight decline in most gas stations in the country, in conjunction with the decline in global oil prices last February.
Despite the decline, gasoline and diesel prices in Morocco are still higher than their levels during the same period in March (2022), when oil prices reached record levels against the background of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Today, Thursday, March 2, fuel prices in Morocco of both types (diesel and gasoline) recorded a decline of about 0.32 and 0.21 dirhams, respectively, at gas stations in Casablanca, as it is expected to continue at the same price until the middle of this month.
Fuel prices in Morocco
The price of gas (diesel) ranged between 12.61 and 12.7 dirhams / liter, while the price of gasoline is trading between 14.39 and 14.4 dirhams / liter.
The Russian-Ukrainian war caused significant changes in fuel prices in Morocco during 2022, which prompted a wave of anger among many sectors that led to demonstrations and strikes.
In an attempt to absorb popular anger, the government launched, last March, exceptional support for professionals in the transport sector, to counter the rise in fuel prices in Morocco, benefiting various professional groups, and is allocated to about 180,000 cars.
Those in charge of the fuel distribution sector in Morocco announce new prices at the beginning and middle of each month, depending on the average prices of oil derivatives globally, as the Kingdom relies on imports to secure all its needs after the country’s only oil refinery stopped working several years ago.
energy bill
The Russian-Ukrainian war cast a shadow over the energy bill in Morocco, which recorded a significant increase during 2022, according to data seen by the specialized energy platform.
Morocco’s energy bill increased by 102% over the past year, hitting a record high of 153.5 billion dirhams ($41.79 billion), according to official data issued by the Exchange Office.
The rise in oil derivatives prices – whose prices doubled to 10,283 dirhams (2,799.62 dollars) per ton, and an increase in the volume of imports by 7.3% – caused Morocco’s trade deficit to increase to 311.6 billion dirhams (84.84 billion dollars), an annual increase of 56.5%, after Imports amounted to 737.7 billion dirhams (200.84 billion dollars), and exports amounted to 426.1 billion dirhams (116.01 billion dollars).
Gasoline prices in Morocco in the war year
Morocco comes second after Palestine in the list of the most expensive gasoline prices in the Arab countries, after the war in Ukraine affected fuel prices in the country and pushed them to record several consecutive increases.
And when comparing the current price with the record in March 2022; We find a small difference, as the price of petrol reached 12.97 dirhams ($1.26), up from 12.50 dirhams ($1.22) recorded in February (2022) before the war broke out, and the price of a liter of diesel rose to 11.21 dirhams ($1.1).
The rise in fuel prices in Morocco to record levels, on more than one occasion, led to popular protests, some of which called on the government to reduce, and others chose the boycott weapon to put pressure on gas stations and the government to respond to the subsidy demand, according to information obtained by the specialized energy platform.
The price of gasoline in Morocco witnessed a gradual increase, reaching 12.97 dirhams ($1.26) last March, then 14.44 dirhams ($1.47) in April, and 15.55 dirhams ($1.55), according to what was published by the “Global” website. Oil Price”.
The price of a liter of gasoline in June 2022 touched the limits of 18 dirhams ($1.8), before it fell in July to 14.89 dirhams ($1.45), and again fell in August to 14.68 dirhams ($1.41) per liter, but it returned to The rise again in September to the same July prices.
Gasoline prices in Morocco recorded 15.40 dirhams ($1.50) in October, then jumped in November to 15.70 dirhams ($1.53), before starting to decline to 14.5 dirhams ($1.41) in December. The average gasoline price during the year is about 15.93 Moroccan dirhams ($1.55).
It is noteworthy that fuel prices in Morocco witness shifts more than once during one month, but these shifts are subject to pricing by the government and selling prices by distribution companies; Which may create differences between selling prices depending on the regions.
The following infographic prepared by the Energy Platform shows the shifts in gasoline prices in Morocco during the first year of the Russian-Ukrainian war:
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