Moroccan consumer prices dip, but core inflation rises in January

Morocco's cost of living edged down slightly in January, with the consumer price index (CPI) falling 0.6% compared to December, the High Commission for Planning announced. This drop was driven by a 0.9% decrease in food prices, while non-food items saw a smaller 0.3% decline.

Vegetables led the way with a 9.6% drop in price, followed by pharmaceuticals (4.9%) and fuels (2.4%). However, fish and seafood (4.7%), fruits (0.6%), and other categories like coffee, tea, cocoa, and meat saw slight price increases.

The decrease in CPI varied across the country, with Oujda seeing the most significant drop (1.0%) and Laâyoune the only city experiencing a slight increase (0.3%).

While overall prices dipped, core inflation, which excludes volatile items like food and energy, rose 0.3% month-on-month and 2.9% year-on-year. This suggests that underlying inflationary pressures remain present in the Moroccan economy.