Moroccans cope with inflation before Ramadan - in pictures

Drought and cold weather has affected the agricultural sector

In this picture taken on February 23, 2023, shoppers buy fresh produce at the Sidi Moussa market in Morocco's Atlantic coastal city of Sale, north of the capital. - Shoppers inspect vegetables at a huge market in Sale, near the Moroccan capital Rabat, but exploding prices mean they are keeping their eye on what they spend even on the basics, as inflation adds extra pressure just ahead of Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month when night-time feasting means consumption tends to increase. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)

Sharply higher prices mean shoppers are watching what they spend even on the basics, as inflation adds extra pressure before Ramadan

Dozens of handcarts and boxes of produce line the market street amid the sound of heated negotiations between struggling shoppers and squeezed merchants

Inflation hit 8.3 per cent in late 2022, mainly due to global supply chain disruptions exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its impact on fuel and transportation costs

Abdessalam El Mahdaoui, 63, said prices were out of control and that people's buying power has been cut by half

One stallholder said prices were fluctuating by the day

But overall, prices are surging upwards, accompanied by bitter criticism from the opposition, trade unions and even some media outlets

The situation has been made worse by a crisis facing the agricultural sector. The worst drought in four decades has been compounded in recent weeks by a snap of unusually cold weather

The government has boosted subsidies on some basic products such as sugar, flour and cooking gas

Mohammed Hamali (not pictured), a 53-year-old stallholder, showed AFP six crates of avocados he said he was struggling to sell

Shoppers inspect vegetables at the huge market in Sale

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