Consumers across the country have expressed their frustration as the price of live chickens has sharply increased in recent days, reaching 23 dirhams per kilogram in popular neighborhoods, multiple dirhams above recent averages.
This price hike comes despite earlier assurances from poultry professionals that summer prices would not exceed 20 dirhams, thanks to a strong supply.
Several factors have been cited for this increase. Consumer rights advocate Redouane Zouitni pointed to a surge in demand from restaurants and wedding celebrations, higher feed costs, and losses linked to extreme heat. Rising temperatures have caused the death of flocks and reduced the viability of eggs, especially where cooling systems are inadequate.
According to union official Abdelkrim Kadouri, supply has also been affected by a decrease in the number of chicks. Weekly production in early July fell below 9 million, compared to the 10 million typically needed. However, a recent rebound in production may help ease prices within six weeks.
The poultry federation added that the rising costs of imported feed, energy, and transportation, coupled with speculation from middlemen, have contributed to the price spike. They urged for tighter oversight of the market.
