Morocco’s textile and clothing industry is experiencing a remarkable resurgence following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by The Financial Times.
Currently, the textile sector boasts 1,600 registered companies, achieving a turnover of MAD 60 billion in the past year, with exports accounting for MAD 40 billion.
In July 2023, Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade, revealed plans to boost exports further, aiming for an annual target of 50 billion dirhams.
The textile industry plays a vital role in Morocco’s economy, serving as a significant source of foreign exchange and offering employment opportunities, especially for women.
According to the Moroccan Association of the Textile and Apparel Industries (AMITH), the industry employs approximately 160,000 workers, with the majority being women.
Despite its success, the textile sector faces labor shortages, as workers seek higher wages in other industries, such as the expanding automotive sector.
To remain competitive, industry leaders believe that investing in new technology and gaining government support for research and participation in trade fairs are crucial. The sector aims to explore new markets, with Africa emerging as a promising opportunity.
In 2022, the sector demonstrated its resilience by achieving a substantial year-on-year export growth of 20 percent, reaching a record-breaking MAD 44 billion.
This impressive performance has positioned Morocco as Europe’s eighth-largest supplier of textile and clothing products, despite facing intense international competition.
Morocco’s textiles industry managed to maintain its prominence even in the face of global manufacturing challenges and shifts in demand caused by the pandemic.
In 2021, it accounted for 15 percent of the country’s industrial GDP and contributed 11 percent to its total exports. These statistics were highlighted in a recent report by the International Finance Corporation, a division of the World Bank.
A significant driver of Morocco’s textile sector success is its engagement in the “fast fashion” segment, constituting 52 percent of production.