MOROCCO – Morocco’s Competition Council is investigating potential competition standards violations within the sardine market.
The council has raised concerns about the possibility of a price-fixing agreement among certain economic operators involved in the sardine supply chain.
According to the interim general rapporteur, preliminary investigations suggest the existence of a price agreement that could distort free competition and harm consumer interests.
The council has vowed to take measures to assess the market’s competitive dynamics, in line with Moroccan Law 104-12, which prohibits actions aimed at limiting market access or hindering free competition.
Citing Article 6 of the law, the council highlights that such agreements can disrupt free competition by artificially influencing market prices, either by driving them up or down.
In addition to investigating the sardine market, the council plans to look into reports of potential price increases at cafes nationwide.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s fisheries sector has experienced a significant export boost in the past two years, reaching a record $2.7 billion last year – The export surge is attributed to the growing demand for Moroccan fisheries products abroad.
Zakia Driouich, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, reported early last year that fisheries exports have been increasing at an annual average of 13% in volume and 16% in value.
Demand for canned sardines has risen by 33%, while frozen sardines and fishmeal/fish oil have seen increases of 71% and 93%, respectively.
Also, a research commissioned by the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries investigated strategies to enhance the EU’s fisheries and aquaculture sector’s competitiveness.
The study revealed that Morocco has become a significant contributor to global fish exports, securing the third position after the Falkland Islands and India.
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