The Competition Council has observed a significant disparity in the extent to which the rise in international prices of refined petroleum products is reflected in retail prices at fuel stations in Morocco, during the period from March 1 to 16, 2026. The council clarified that the implementation of these increases on consumers was partial for diesel, while the international increase for gasoline was fully passed on.
In numerical terms, based on data analyzed by the council from the benchmark market in Northwestern Europe, international diesel prices increased by 2.92 dirhams per liter. However, retail prices in national stations rose only by 2.03 dirhams per liter, indicating that operators did not fully reflect the international increase (a difference of 0.89 dirhams). In contrast, international gasoline prices went up by 1.26 dirhams per liter, yet retail prices for Moroccan consumers increased by 1.43 dirhams per liter, resulting in an additional cost to consumers exceeding the international rise by 0.17 dirhams.
Regarding the dynamics of the domestic market, the council’s report, which was based on hearings with operators and station managers, noted discrepancies in the “wholesale” prices applied by distributors to station managers, with differences reaching up to 0.20 dirhams per liter for diesel. Despite these initial variations, the nature of local competition forces fuel stations to approach similar retail pricing in response to their immediate commercial environment.
In relation to the sector’s regulatory process, the Competition Council scrutinized the practice of “bi-monthly price reviews,” viewing it as a remnant of the price control system that was in place before market liberalization. The council announced the launch of consultations with active companies to explore the possibility of developing a new pricing mechanism aimed at enhancing genuine competition, without compromising supply security and market stability amid the geopolitical tensions affecting global energy markets.
