Morocco Records Strong Growth in Automotive Exports, Reaching MAD 116 Billion

Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Morocco’s automotive exports increased by 14.5 percent year-on-year to MAD 116 billion ($11.69 billion) during the first eight months of 2026, according to the latest foreign trade indicators released by the country’s Foreign Exchange Office.

The growth was driven by strong performance across the sector’s main export segments, with manufacturing exports increasing by 19 percent to MAD 44.747 billion and wiring exports rising by 13.9 percent to MAD 44.777 billion.

Exports of exterior automotive equipment recorded the strongest growth, increasing by 43.6 percent to MAD 3.769 billion.

Overall, automotive exports increased by nearly MAD 14.7 billion compared with the same period in 2025, highlighting the sector’s continued contribution to Morocco’s external trade performance.

Other major export sectors also registered significant growth during the period. Aerospace exports rose by 21.5 percent to MAD 22.969 billion, supported by a 26.9 percent increase in assembly exports to MAD 15.874 billion and a 10.9 percent rise in Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) exports to MAD 7.019 billion.

Agriculture and agri-food exports increased by 8.3 percent to MAD 65.119 billion, with food industry exports rising by 13.6 percent to MAD 31.143 billion.

However, exports of phosphates and derivatives declined by 6 percent, while textile and leather exports fell by 5.6 percent and electronics and electricity exports decreased by 2.9 percent.

Morocco’s total exports nevertheless grew by 8.7 percent to MAD 334.892 billion by the end of August, compared with MAD 307.95 billion during the corresponding period of 2025.

The increase in exports came alongside stronger import growth. Imports rose by 15.8 percent to MAD 617.5 billion, causing the country’s trade deficit to widen by 25.4 percent to MAD 282.61 billion.

The automotive sector’s strong performance reinforces its importance to Morocco’s export-oriented industrial base, with continued growth in vehicle manufacturing, wiring and related equipment contributing substantially to the country’s overall export expansion.