Nizar Baraka, Secretary-General of the Istiqlal Party, stated that the decline in household purchasing power is closely linked to the rise in food prices, arguing that the large number of intermediaries in distribution chains is one of the main factors contributing to higher consumer costs.
Speaking at an event organized by the Istiqlal Economists Association in Casablanca, Baraka explained that the presence of multiple intermediaries between producers and consumers increases profit margins throughout the supply chain, ultimately affecting retail prices.
He noted that these observations are supported by reports issued by official institutions, including Morocco’s Competition Council, which has highlighted challenges related to intermediary networks and limited transparency in agricultural marketing chains.
According to Baraka, several studies indicate that intermediaries can account for a significant share of the final price of certain products, affecting both producers’ revenues and consumers’ purchasing costs.
He called for reforms aimed at improving transparency within distribution and marketing systems, while ensuring a fairer balance between all stakeholders involved in the supply chain.
Meanwhile, Abdellatif Maâzouz stated that consumer prices have continued to rise since 2021, stressing that this trend has affected purchasing power and contributed to inflationary pressures, while highlighting the importance of protecting the middle class and promoting social stability.