Handicraft exports continue the progression recorded during the 1st quarter, marking a very good rate of increase at the end of April, which reached 38% compared to the same period of 2020, totaling 272.1 million dirhams.
This feat of exports is explained by the strong impetus they experienced in April 2021, when they quadrupled compared to April last year, indicates a press release from the Ministry of Tourism, from Air Transport and Social Economy Handicrafts.
Regarding the product families that have experienced considerable progress during the first four months of 2021, the ministry specifies that the brassware still holds the best score, i.e. a growth rate of 341% compared to the same period of 2020. , followed by products in the “Miscellaneous” category, up 158%.
Roofing is also on the rise, with a rate of 131%, and finally wrought iron, whose export turnover increased by 110%.
International demand has also increased for other families of handicrafts, albeit at a slower pace, the statement noted, adding that they are basketwork, leather goods, pottery-stone and footwear, with respective rates of 75%, 68%, 42% and 35% compared to the first four months of the previous year.
In terms of contribution shares to overall export turnover, pottery-stone maintains its position with the main share (26%), followed by the “Miscellaneous” family which increases to 18%, basketwork whose share increases to 11% and covers to 10%.
Regarding the best exporting cities, Essaouira, Agadir and Kénitra continue to stand out in terms of the development of their export turnover. Thus, the city of Essaouira sees its exports increase 15 times more at the end of April 2021 compared to the same period of 2020, Kenitra 6 times and Agadir 5 times.
Marrakech also shows good dynamism by doubling its exports (106%), adds the press release, noting that Rabat, Nador and Casablanca also mark good developments of the order of 81%, 78% and 55% respectively.
In terms of contributions to overall export turnover, it is still Casablanca which predominates over the rest of the exporting cities with a share of 49%, and Marrakech (33%). These two cities continue to capture the bulk of exports of artisanal products (82%). By destination, exports to the USA show a very good recovery due to their excellent performance during the month of April 2021, with the export turnover tripled compared to the same month of 2020. The northern market America thus evolves positively during the first four months of 2021 across Canada, with an evolution rate of 68%, and the USA with a growth rate of 10%, compared to the same period in 2020.
The European continent, for its part, is strengthening its progress and marks an evolution rate of 72% during the period January-April 2021. Belgium and France are the European countries which have shown the best feats, 124% and 93% respectively, followed by the “Other European countries” category, by almost 87%, in particular the Scandinavian countries. Other European markets such as the German, Dutch and Italian markets are also improving their imports of Moroccan handicrafts, showing positive increases, with respective rates of 71%, 52% and 49%.
Australia also stands out with a growth rate of 242%, despite its contribution to overall export turnover, which remains modest (3%).
For its part, Japan still shows a strong demand for Moroccan artisanal products and shows good growth (89%) during the period January-April 2021.
In terms of shares, three markets continue to absorb 90% of the overall export turnover, in this case Europe with a share which increases to 48%, France in the lead (17%), the USA with a contribution of 26% and the Arab market whose share is 16%.
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