Moroccan energy sector expert Houcine El Yamani has warned that the price of diesel fuel in Morocco could rise to 18 dirhams per liter. This projection is based on ongoing volatility in international oil markets and geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains.
El Yamani, a former director at the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), explained that global factors, including production cuts by OPEC+ and instability in key producing regions, are exerting upward pressure on crude oil prices. These increases are subsequently passed on to consumers at the pump in import-dependent countries like Morocco.
The Moroccan government currently subsidizes butane gas and certain food staples, but fuel prices are liberalized and fluctuate based on international costs. A sustained rise would significantly impact transportation and logistics costs, contributing to broader inflationary pressures within the national economy.
While the expert's statement serves as a warning based on current trends, the actual future price will depend on the evolution of the global market. The government has mechanisms to occasionally cushion sharp fluctuations, but a long-term high-price scenario poses a serious economic challenge.
