Incentive2 Jul 2022 06:22
Rabat - Morocco’s energy imports more than doubled over the first four months of 2022, reaching MAD 43.7 billion ($4.3 billion) at the end of April.
As Morocco imports almost 90% of its energy needs, the country is especially vulnerable to fluctuating energy prices on the international market.
While the volume of imported diesel and fuel increased by an annual rate of 15.8%, the value of imports rose by MAD 12.1 billion ($1.19 billion) because of the exponential rise in diesel and fuel.
The price of diesel was set at MAD 8,833 ($874.9) per ton at the end of April, up from MAD 4,490 ($444.7) per ton a year earlier, according to recent data from Morocco’s Exchange Office, the country’s foreign trade watchdog.
Adding to the rising value of energy imports, grain imports are equally weighing down on the country’s reserves of foreign currency, causing a deeper wedge in the trade deficit.