Tax authorities in Morocco investigate station revenue discrepancies amid rising fuel costs

Owners of gas stations in Morocco are demanding greater transparency in how fuel prices are set, arguing that while they lack the authority to determine pump prices, they bear the brunt of consumer dissatisfaction during price hikes. The National Federation of Owners, Traders, and Managers of Gas Stations in Morocco highlights that rising fuel costs do not translate into higher profits for station operators. Instead, station revenue is built on a fixed margin measured in centimes per liter, rather than a percentage of the sale price. Consequently, when fuel becomes more expensive, consumer purchasing power drops and overall demand declines, leading to reduced revenue for the stations themselves. According to the Federation, this pricing dynamic creates severe liquidity challenges. The cost of procuring fuel inventory-whether for tanker deliveries or storage in tanks-has increased two to three times compared to previous periods. To maintain standard inventory levels, station owners are forced to seek additional financial resources or take out loans.