Morocco: Morocco’s leading French-speaking newspaper criticizes decision to ban beer festival

Following the ban of Morocco’s first beer festival in Casablanca last week, Morocco’s leading French-speaking newspaper, L’Economiste, criticized the decision, saying it does not hide the impact of liquor sales on the Moroccan economy.

“Behind the passion around alcohol lies a true cash machine for the national budget,” reported l’Economiste in its weekend issue.

The paper pointed out that the Moroccan government made at least 1 billion MAD from the tax revenues for alcohol sales in 2014. More specifically, the government’s revenues from taxes on beer sales reached more than 708 million MAD.

Last year, Moroccans consumed over 85 million bottles of beer and at least 30 million litres of wine. Morocco produced 40 million bottles of wine a year, most of which is consumed within the country. Around 10 million tourists visit the country every year.

According to L’Economiste, the Moroccan government earned over 802.6 million MAD from alcohol taxes during the first nine months of 2015.

Last week, Casablanca’s first ever beer festival was axed just days before it was slated to begin. Moroccan authorities have cited legal “non-compliance” by the organizers for the decision.

“Following media announcements about a beer festival in Casablanca, the authorities have asked the organizers to stop their publicity campaign immediately and cancel the event,” said a statement by the Wilaya of Casablanca.

Morocco’s number one beer producer, Brasserie du Maroc, organized the festival. The company, which accounts for 95 percent of beer sales by volume in the country, has several local beers, including La Speciale Flag, Flag Pils, and Stork.

The sale of alcohol to Muslims is prohibited, with those convicted for drinking in public facing up to six months in jail under Moroccan criminal law.

However, the consumption of alcohol by non-Muslims is allowed, and many young people in the country drink, as do millions of tourists who visit Morocco’s many bars, clubs, and hotels.

14 October, 2015