Morocco diesel prices approach MAD 15 after MAD 2.40 rise since July

Diesel prices in Morocco rose by six centimes per liter on September 1, bringing the cumulative increase since mid-July to about MAD 2.40 and pushing pump prices to or above MAD 15 in some cities. Gasoline prices remained unchanged.

The latest adjustment is small compared with the increases applied during the previous six weeks. Diesel rose by 69 centimes in mid-July, MAD 1 in early August and another 65 centimes in mid-August before Tuesday’s six-centime increase.

A 50-liter tank now costs approximately MAD 120 more to fill than it did in mid-July.

Gasoline followed a less consistent trajectory. Its price increased by 39 centimes in mid-July and MAD 1 in early August before falling by 30 centimes in the second half of the month. No further change was applied on September 1.

Prices vary by distributor and location because Morocco does not impose a single nationwide pump price. In central Casablanca, diesel was selling at approximately MAD 14.96 to MAD 14.99 per liter at several stations following the latest adjustment.

Prices have already exceeded MAD 15 in some inland cities, where transportation and distribution costs are generally higher than in the Casablanca-Mohammedia area, the center of the country’s fuel-import and storage infrastructure.

Morocco liberalized gasoline and diesel prices in 2015. Distributors generally revise pump prices twice a month, although the final price reflects several components, including international refined-product quotations, exchange rates, taxes, transportation costs and company margins.

The recent domestic increases have coincided with renewed volatility in international energy markets. Brent crude rose above $90 a barrel at the end of August as direct military tensions between the United States and Iran raised concerns about supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

On August 31, Brent gained about 2.8% to $90.53 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate rose about 2.4% to $85.41. Prices rose further on September 1 as the confrontation intensified and markets assessed the risk of prolonged disruption to Gulf exports.

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