Government Under Scrutiny After Nizar Baraka's Latest Statements on Sheep Prices

Morocco World

24-03-2025

Rabat – Moroccan Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, is facing intense criticism following his recent appearance on the political TV show 'Nokta Ila Satr' on Al Aoula, where he made what some commentators deemed as 'corrupt' remarks about sheep prices.
The backlash stemmed from Baraka's statement that the government had allocated MAD 130 million ($ 13.54 million) in public funds to sheep importers last year, enabling them to earn substantial profits while Moroccans struggle in a cost-of-living crisis.
Many Moroccans found Baraka's comments out of touch with his governmental position, criticizing him for sounding more like an ordinary citizen than a high-ranking politician and leader of the Istiqlal Party.
Commentators pointed out that the minister seemed unaware of the government's role in the sharp price increases, despite its ability to implement price caps and regulate profit margins. This disconnect fueled further criticism, especially after Baraka confirmed government financial support for sheep exporters.
Baraka has faced similar criticism in the past regarding the same issue. In February, during the lunar month of Shaban, he publicly addressed red meat and poultry sellers, urging them to 'fear Allah' and stop 'eating up Moroccans' money' by excessively inflating prices, which made meat and poultry unaffordable for many.
His recent comments contradict previous criticisms of sheep sellers, whom he accused of doubling their profit margins and selling sheep at vastly inflated prices. Although Baraka, an economist with a PhD, has stressed the government's role in protecting citizens' purchasing power through price caps, he also argued that such measures might harm farmers and only benefit importers.
Baraka has often suggested that the primary cause of price inflation is greed and profiteering, proposing an ethical economic charter as the solution. He even remarked that the Istiqlal Party could not accept ongoing greed at the expense of citizens' well-being, and called for urgent government action to address this issue.
These remarks were particularly contentious given recent comments by Minister of Industry and Trade, Riad Mansour, who revealed that 18 major speculators currently control red meat prices in Morocco, driving profit margins to unprecedented levels. Mansour noted that the margin for importing and distributing red meat had surged from MAD 10–15 ($1-1.05) per kilogram to MAD 40 ($4.17), reflecting both rising import costs and market manipulation.
Adding fuel to the corruption fire, there are, albeit unproven, claims that these speculators are mostly parliamentary members and politicians — a dangerous claim that some Moroccans believe given their lack of faith in the government's integrity.
Morocco has been grappling with rising food prices in recent years, placing a significant burden on families, especially during Ramadan, when demand for key food items spikes.
In February 2025, the High Commission for Planning reported a 0.3% rise in the Consumer Price Index compared to January, while food prices rose by 0.6%.
Despite government assurances about market stability, some essential goods continued to see price increases, attributed in part to the ongoing drought, which has now lasted six years. In light of this, some have called for alternative marketing models to reduce the number of intermediaries, potentially lowering prices and providing more affordable goods.