Voices rise against fuel prices hike

The Moroccan association of fruit producers and exporters (APEFEL) and the CDT union denounced the recent decision of the government to increase fuel prices.

APEFEL warned the hike will have " serious consequences," as it (the hike) is a "fatal blow for the fruit market. "the heavily indebted small producers will not survive this measure," said the association, adding farmers are mobilized to express their anger over the measure.

The association, which defends fruit producers interests, called on the authorities to cancel the increase move and for the setting up of a compensation system.

Petroleum products prices were increased by 4.8 to 10.8% as of last Saturday. The price of a liter of diesel went up by 9.3% to stand at 5.76 DH/liter ($1 = 10DH), ordinary petrol was increased by 9.8% (8.65DH/liter) and high grade petrol by 10.8% (9.05 DH/liter). The price of industrial fuel went up by 4.8% to stand at over 2,301 DH per ton.

Moroccan energy and mining minister, Youssef Tahiri, had said the fuel price hike should have been over 50%, but the government had to take into account the population's purchasing power.

CDT trade union, which is close to the Socialist Union of Popular Forces of Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi, decried the government's decision to enforce fuel prices raise. The move "will reflect in a hike in other products prices and will adversely impact the labor classes purchasing power," the CDT said.

The Citrus Fruits Assocation (ASPAM) also denounced the move as harmful to producers.