Morocco’s Natural Gas Imports Record 15% Decline in 2026’s Q1

Rabat – Morocco continues to reassure citizens of a sufficient energy supply amid reported declines in gas imports.

Data from the Washington-based specialized platform Attaqa shows that Morocco’s natural gas imports recorded a year-on-year decline of 15.0% in the first quarter of 2026.

The website recalled supply interruptions due to the ongoing and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Data obtained by Attaqa stated that Morocco imported 1.98 terawatt-hours of gas in the first three months of 2026.

The number represents a 2.33-hour decline compared to the same period last year.

The data also revealed that parts of the LNG Morocco imports come from different sources, particularly Russia, and the US.

“Morocco’s gas imports began in the first quarter of 2026 with a significant year-on-year increase, but they quickly dropped noticeably, leading to several days of supply interruptions,” according to data obtained by the specialized platform Attaqa.

The same source said January 2026 witnessed the largest increase in supplies, with imports then falling to 572 GWh in February 2026, compared with 700 GWh in the same month last year.

Amid reports of supply interruptions, government officials continue to reassure citizens of sufficient supply to cover domestic needs.

In April, Morocco’s Minister of Energy, Leila Benali, said the national energy stock has fuel supplies for the next three months.

Morocco’s fuel supply situation remains stable, she said, adding that diesel stocks are sufficient for approximately 47 days of national consumption, while gasoline reserves extend beyond 49 days.

Her remarks came amid concerns and frustration over the high prices of fuel, which are weighing down Moroccans’ purchasing power.

Morocco’s pricing structure continues to fuel debate over transparency and balance in how increases and decreases are passed on to consumers.

Diesel prices fell by around MAD 1($0.10) per litre and gasoline by approximately MAD 1.10 ($0.11), bringing both fuels just below the MAD 15 ($1.53) per litre mark.

Morocco’s Economy and Finance Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui told parliament on backed government measures to mitigate the crisis recently, stating that the government has been allocating MAD 1.6 billion ($160 million) per month since March 15 to soften the blow of rising fuel prices on Moroccan households.

Fettah Alaoui acknowledged that surging pump prices are driving up transport and supply chain costs, directly eroding citizens’ purchasing power.

The minister attributed the price spike to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which she noted have pushed energy costs up by 40% to 65%, with oil prices climbing to between $100 and $110 per barrel. “We cannot isolate our prices from global reality,” she stated, adding that the government’s approach is not purely technical or numerical.

Morocco has been pledging its determination to ensure energy sovereignty while maintaining strategic partnerships with international partners to secure domestic supply.

The North African country is moving forward with projects such as the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, a milestone that will strengthen local demand.

 

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