Agadir, Morocco — The ongoing instability in the global market, exacerbated by the Middle East conflict, has prompted Morocco’s Competition Council to scrutinize the effects of soaring international crude oil and refined product prices. As a significant importer of petroleum products, Morocco’s economy is acutely sensitive to these global fluctuations, particularly concerning diesel and gasoline. The Council has pointed out that international market dynamics directly affect supply conditions and pricing within Morocco.
Between March 1 and March 16, 2026, the Council conducted a detailed analysis of the correlation between international oil prices and national selling prices, focusing on the transmission of market changes from the North-Western European (NWE) market to Moroccan pumps. The study revealed a discrepancy between international and local retail costs, with diesel prices partially reflecting international increases. However, the Council noted that this was not the case for gasoline, where domestic price increases exceeded international trends.
The investigation also uncovered variations in pricing practices between distributors and service stations, with some operators applying transfer prices that represented nearly 10% of the average increase. Despite these disparities, the Council observed a tendency for service stations to align their prices with those of nearby stations, reflecting the local competitive landscape and the homogeneity of the products involved.
As the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global supply chains, Morocco’s position as a net importer remains a significant challenge, with the Competition Council’s findings providing insight into the complexities of fuel pricing within the country.
Source: MoroccoWorldNews
