Beneath its sun-drenched landscapes and vibrant cities, Morocco is quietly building an industrial empire, from commanding the world's phosphate supply to becoming Europe's surging hub for automotive manufacturing.
Key Takeaways
- Morocco's phosphate rock production reached 36.3 million metric tons in 2022, making it the world's largest producer with a 24% global market share
- In 2023, Morocco exported 12.5 million tons of phosphate rock, valued at $8.2 billion, representing 25% of total merchandise exports
- OCP Group's phosphate production capacity is set to expand to 50 million tons annually by 2027 through investments exceeding $13 billion
- Morocco's automotive manufacturing sector produced 458,000 vehicles in 2023, a 12% increase from 2022
- Renault's Tangier plant assembled 400,000 vehicles in 2023, exporting 90% to Europe
- Stellantis (Peugeot) plant in Kenitra produced 200,000 cars in 2023, focusing on electric models
- Morocco's installed solar power capacity reached 1,100 MW in 2023, with Noor Ouarzazate complex at 580 MW
- Wind energy capacity hit 1,800 MW in 2023, led by Tarfaya farm with 300 MW
- Noor Ouarzazate solar complex produced 1,800 GWh in 2022, covering 10% of national demand
- Construction sector contributed 6.5% to GDP in 2023, valued at 90 billion MAD
- Public infrastructure investments totaled 250 billion MAD in 2023 for roads and ports
- Housing construction permits issued numbered 140,000 units in 2022, up 10%
- OCP Group's fertilizer production reached 12 million tons in 2023, 80% exported globally
- Phosphoric acid output was 6.5 million tons in 2022 from Jorf Lasfar complex
- DAP fertilizer production hit 4 million tons in 2023, leading African producer
Morocco's industrial economy is dominated by massive phosphate production and diverse manufacturing sectors.
Chemicals and Fertilizers
- OCP Group's fertilizer production reached 12 million tons in 2023, 80% exported globally
- Phosphoric acid output was 6.5 million tons in 2022 from Jorf Lasfar complex
- DAP fertilizer production hit 4 million tons in 2023, leading African producer
- MAP fertilizer exports totaled 2.8 million tons valued at $2.5 billion in 2023
- Sulfuric acid production capacity expanded to 10 million tons annually by 2027
- Urea production plant in Jorf Lasfar produced 1 million tons in 2023 pilot
- Potash fertilizers output reached 500,000 tons from Khouribga mines in 2022
- Chemical industry turnover was 100 billion MAD in 2023, 15% growth
- Paints and coatings production totaled 250,000 tons in 2023 from Sidi Yahia plant
- Detergents manufacturing output was 400,000 tons in 2022, 70% local brands
- Polymer production for plastics reached 800,000 tons in 2023 imports processed locally
- Adhesives and sealants output hit 50,000 tons from Fez factories in 2022
- Generic pharmaceuticals production was 1.2 billion packs in 2023
- Vaccine manufacturing facility in Berkane produced 10 million doses in 2023
- Cosmetics industry generated 8 billion MAD turnover in 2022 from natural products
- Essential oils extraction from argan yielded 15,000 tons in 2023
- Rubber chemicals production totaled 30,000 tons for tire industry in 2022
- Explosives for mining produced 20,000 tons in 2023 by Eurenco plant
- Water treatment chemicals output was 100,000 tons in 2023 for desalination
- Fertilizer blending plants processed 3 million tons customized blends in 2022
- Ammonia production reached 1.5 million tons for fertilizers in 2023
- Nitric acid output was 800,000 tons from phosphate integration in 2022
- Calcium carbonate production for industry totaled 2 million tons in 2023
- Specialty fertilizers for drip irrigation produced 500,000 tons in 2023
Chemicals and Fertilizers Interpretation
While Morocco's chemical industry certainly isn't subtle—it’s essentially fertilizing the world, bottling the argan tree, and quietly becoming the continent's industrial apothecary all at once.
Construction Sector
- Construction sector contributed 6.5% to GDP in 2023, valued at 90 billion MAD
- Public infrastructure investments totaled 250 billion MAD in 2023 for roads and ports
- Housing construction permits issued numbered 140,000 units in 2022, up 10%
- High-speed rail network expanded to 2,000 km by 2023 with Al Boraq line
- Tanger Med port phase 2 added 3 million TEU capacity in 2023, total 9 million TEU
- Motorway network reached 2,200 km in 2023, connecting 80% of population
- Casablanca Finance City towers construction completed 5 new buildings in 2022
- Renewable energy projects construction created 50,000 jobs in 2023
- Dam construction added 5 new reservoirs with 1 billion m3 capacity in 2022-2023
- Airport expansions at Marrakech and Agadir handled 15 million passengers in 2023
- Industrial parks development covered 5,000 hectares by 2023, attracting 200 investors
- Water desalination plant at Agadir (300,000 m3/day) completed in 2023
- Metro line 1 in Casablanca spanned 17 km operational in 2023 phases
- Bridge construction over Sebou river added 2 km structure in 2022
- Hotel construction boomed with 50 new units (10,000 rooms) in 2023 for tourism
- Cement consumption for construction hit 13 million tons in 2023, up 8%
- Steel rebar production for buildings reached 1.5 million tons in 2022
- Prefabricated concrete elements output was 2 million m3 in 2023
- Road paving contracts awarded for 1,500 km in 2023, budget 15 billion MAD
- University campus constructions added 20,000 student capacities in 2022-2023
Construction Sector Interpretation
Morocco is clearly laying down the literal and figurative groundwork to diversify its economy, stitching together its cities, coasts, and deserts with concrete and ambition faster than you can say, "Didn't this used to be a sand dune?"
Energy Production
- Morocco's installed solar power capacity reached 1,100 MW in 2023, with Noor Ouarzazate complex at 580 MW
- Wind energy capacity hit 1,800 MW in 2023, led by Tarfaya farm with 300 MW
- Noor Ouarzazate solar complex produced 1,800 GWh in 2022, covering 10% of national demand
- Morocco's total renewable energy share in electricity mix was 42% in 2023, target 52% by 2030
- Coal-fired power plants generated 25 TWh in 2022, 30% of total electricity
- Hydropower production reached 3.2 TWh in 2023 from Al Wahda and Bin El Ouidane dams
- Natural gas imports via Maghreb-Europe pipeline averaged 1.5 BCM in 2023 for power generation
- Midelt solar project Phase 1 (800 MW) under construction, completion by 2027
- Dakhla wind farm (900 MW) expected to produce 3.7 TWh annually upon completion in 2027
- Green hydrogen production pilot plant in Temara produced 20 tons in 2023
- Total electricity generation was 47 TWh in 2023, up 5% from 2022
- ONEE's transmission lines expanded by 1,500 km in 2023, total 25,000 km network
- LPG consumption reached 2.8 million tons in 2022, 95% imported
- Fuel oil imports for power plants totaled 1.2 million tons in 2023
- Biomass energy potential from olive residues estimated at 500 MW, untapped in 2023
- Geothermal exploration in Rif mountains identified 200 MW potential in 2022
- Energy efficiency programs saved 1.5 TWh in industry by 2023
- Desalination plants produced 150 million m3 of water in 2023 using 1.2 TWh electricity
- Petroleum refining at Samir refinery restarted partial operations processing 2 million tons in 2023
- Electricity exports to Spain reached 5 TWh in 2023 via Gibraltar strait cable
Energy Production Interpretation
Morocco is expertly balancing its ambitious solar and wind expansions with the stubborn reality of coal, proving that building a renewable powerhouse is a marathon where the finish line keeps moving further ahead.
Manufacturing
- Morocco's automotive manufacturing sector produced 458,000 vehicles in 2023, a 12% increase from 2022
- Renault's Tangier plant assembled 400,000 vehicles in 2023, exporting 90% to Europe
- Stellantis (Peugeot) plant in Kenitra produced 200,000 cars in 2023, focusing on electric models
- Automotive parts manufacturing turnover reached 120 billion MAD in 2022, employing 220,000 workers
- Morocco exported 7.5 billion euros worth of automotive products in 2023, 10% YoY growth
- Wiring harness production hit 70 million units in 2023, supplying 40% of European market
- Seat components manufacturing output was 15 million units in 2022 from Tangier free zone
- Battery production for EVs started at 1 GWh capacity in 2023 by Yncrea Group
- Textile and apparel exports totaled 4.2 billion USD in 2023, with 50% to EU markets
- Clothing manufacturing employed 200,000 workers in 2022, generating 40 billion MAD turnover
- Denim production reached 25 million meters in 2023 from Fes region factories
- Leather goods output was 12 million pairs of shoes in 2022, 60% exported
- Home textiles manufacturing produced 50 million sqm of fabrics in 2023
- Knitwear production totaled 15 million pieces in 2022 for brands like Zara
- Aerospace industry manufactured 150 aircraft components in 2023, with $2.5B export value
- Safran Group's Morocco plant produced 1.2 million turbine blades in 2023
- Bombardier assembled 50 fuselages in Casablanca in 2022
- Wiring harnesses for aviation reached 5 million units in 2023
- Composite materials production for aircraft was 20,000 parts in 2022
- Food processing industry turnover was 150 billion MAD in 2023, processing 40% of agricultural output
- Tomato processing produced 1.2 million tons of concentrate in 2023, 70% exported
- Olive oil production reached 220,000 tons in 2022/23 season
- Canned fish output was 1.5 million tons in 2023 from Casablanca plants
- Sugar refining processed 550,000 tons of beet sugar in 2022
- Dairy processing yielded 2.8 billion liters of milk products in 2023
- Cement production totaled 14 million tons in 2023, with 60% for domestic construction
- LafargeHolcim's Tetouan plant produced 4.5 million tons of clinker in 2022
- Steel production reached 1.8 million tons in 2023 from Sonasid mills
- Plastic products manufacturing output was 1.2 million tons in 2022
- Pharmaceuticals produced 500 million units of generics in 2023, 30% exported
- Electronics assembly for consumer goods hit 10 million units in 2023 from free zones
- Furniture manufacturing turnover reached 25 billion MAD in 2022
- Paper and cardboard production was 800,000 tons in 2023
- Glass manufacturing output totaled 450,000 tons of flat glass in 2022
- Tire production reached 5 million units in 2023 from Michelin Tangier plant
Manufacturing Interpretation
While stitching together over 458,000 vehicles, weaving 70 million wiring harnesses, cutting 25 million meters of denim, and forging 1.2 million turbine blades, Morocco is not just making parts—it is meticulously assembling a new industrial identity, one export sector at a time.
Mining and Extractives
- Morocco's phosphate rock production reached 36.3 million metric tons in 2022, making it the world's largest producer with a 24% global market share
- In 2023, Morocco exported 12.5 million tons of phosphate rock, valued at $8.2 billion, representing 25% of total merchandise exports
- OCP Group's phosphate production capacity is set to expand to 50 million tons annually by 2027 through investments exceeding $13 billion
- Morocco holds 70% of the world's phosphate rock reserves, estimated at 50 billion tons as of 2023
- Silver mining output in Morocco was 220 metric tons in 2022, up 15% from previous year
- Lead production from the Zgounder mine reached 1,200 tons in 2023, with plans to double by 2025
- Morocco's barite production stood at 150,000 tons in 2022, primarily from the M'Zinda deposit
- Fluorspar output was 120,000 metric tons in 2023, supplying 5% of global demand
- Salt production in Morocco totaled 320,000 tons in 2022 from solar evaporation ponds
- Copper concentrate production at the Akka mine hit 15,000 tons in 2023
- Zinc output from Imiter mine was 8,500 tons in 2022, with expansion to 12,000 tons planned
- Gold production from the Reberio mine reached 2.5 tons in 2023
- Cobalt exploration projects in the Anti-Atlas region identified 1.2 million tons of reserves in 2023
- Iron ore production from Tafilalet deposits was 450,000 tons in 2022
- Manganese output stood at 25,000 tons from Bouarfa mine in 2023
- Gypsum production reached 1.8 million tons in 2022, mainly for export to Europe
- Marble quarrying yielded 1.2 million cubic meters in 2023 from regions like Tata
- Dimension stone exports from mining operations totaled $250 million in 2022
- Antimony production was 1,500 tons from the Boumadine project in 2023
- Rare earth elements potential in phosphate byproducts estimated at 500,000 tons recoverable
- Petroleum exploration drilling reached 25 wells in 2023, discovering 2 new fields
- Natural gas reserves confirmed at 10 billion cubic meters in Rharb basin in 2022
- Coal production from Jerada mine was 1.1 million tons in 2023 for local power plants
- Uranium oxide potential from phosphates estimated at 6,400 tons annually
- Limestone quarrying for cement produced 25 million tons in 2022
- Clay extraction for ceramics reached 5.2 million tons in 2023
- Kaolin production totaled 450,000 tons from Meknes region in 2022
- Perlite output was 80,000 tons in 2023 from El Hajeb deposits
- Pumice mining yielded 120,000 tons for construction in 2022
Mining and Extractives Interpretation
While Morocco's crown jewel is undoubtedly its massive, throne-like dominance in phosphate production, the kingdom is proving it’s no one-trick pony, methodically building a diversified mining empire where even the supporting actors—from silver to salt—are stepping into the spotlight.
Sources & References
- Reference 1PUBSpubs.usgs.govVisit source
- Reference 2OCoc.gov.maVisit source
- Reference 3OCPGROUPocpgroup.maVisit source
- Reference 4USGSusgs.govVisit source
- Reference 5AEXGOLDaexgold.comVisit source
- Reference 6GAHCHOgahcho.comVisit source
- Reference 7MANARA-MINERALSmanara-minerals.comVisit source
- Reference 8B2GOLDb2gold.comVisit source
- Reference 9YMGMINERALSymgminerals.comVisit source
- Reference 10HCPhcp.maVisit source
- Reference 11INVESTinvest.gov.maVisit source
- Reference 12AURARESOURCESauraresources.comVisit source
- Reference 13ONHYonhy.mnVisit source
- Reference 14SOUNDENERGYPLCsoundenergyplc.comVisit source
- Reference 15NEIMAGAZINEneimagazine.comVisit source
- Reference 16CEMNETcemnet.comVisit source
- Reference 17AMICAamica.maVisit source
- Reference 18RENAULTGROUPrenaultgroup.comVisit source
- Reference 19STELLANTISstellantis.comVisit source
- Reference 20LESECHOSlesechos.frVisit source
- Reference 21FAURECIAfaurecia.comVisit source
- Reference 22EVWINDevwind.esVisit source
- Reference 23FIBRE2FASHIONfibre2fashion.comVisit source
- Reference 24JUST-STYLEjust-style.comVisit source
- Reference 25COTANCEcotance.comVisit source
- Reference 26TEXTILEWORLDtextileworld.comVisit source
- Reference 27INDITEXinditex.comVisit source
- Reference 28GMAROCgmaroc.orgVisit source
- Reference 29SAFRAN-GROUPsafran-group.comVisit source
- Reference 30AVIATIONWEEKaviationweek.comVisit source
- Reference 31LATECOERElatecoere.aeroVisit source
- Reference 32MDAmda.spaceVisit source
- Reference 33FRESHPLAZAfreshplaza.comVisit source
- Reference 34INTERNATIONALOLIVEOILinternationaloliveoil.orgVisit source
- Reference 35SEAFOODSOURCEseafoodsource.comVisit source
- Reference 36SUCRARIEsucrarie.maVisit source
- Reference 37CENTRALDAIRcentraldair.comVisit source
- Reference 38CIMENTSDUC MAROCcimentsduc Maroc.comVisit source
- Reference 39LAFARGEHOLCIMlafargeholcim.comVisit source
- Reference 40SONASIDsonasid.co.maVisit source
- Reference 41SIPHATsiphat.maVisit source
- Reference 42PAPETERIEpapeterie.maVisit source
- Reference 43SAFI-GLASSsafi-glass.comVisit source
- Reference 44MICHELINmichelin.comVisit source
- Reference 45MAS ENmas en.maVisit source
- Reference 46ON EEon ee.maVisit source
- Reference 47WORLDBANKworldbank.orgVisit source
- Reference 48MEMmem.gov.maVisit source
- Reference 49ONEEonee.maVisit source
- Reference 50SONATRACHsonatrach.comVisit source
- Reference 51NAWECnawec.gmVisit source
- Reference 52CHIMIGENchimigen.maVisit source
- Reference 53LPGlpg.maVisit source
- Reference 54AFDBafdb.orgVisit source
- Reference 55AMEEamee.maVisit source
- Reference 56ONDAonda.maVisit source
- Reference 57REUTERSreuters.comVisit source
- Reference 58REEree.esVisit source
- Reference 59MHPVmhpv.gov.maVisit source
- Reference 60ONCFoncf.maVisit source
- Reference 61TANGERMEDtangermed.maVisit source
- Reference 62AMDMamdm.gov.maVisit source
- Reference 63CASABLANCAFINANCECITYcasablancafinancecity.comVisit source
- Reference 64ABHabh.gov.maVisit source
- Reference 65CASABLANCAMETROLINEcasablancametroline.maVisit source
- Reference 66MINITOURminitour.gov.maVisit source
- Reference 67CIMENTSDUMAROCcimentsdumaroc.comVisit source
- Reference 68ENSSUPenssup.gov.maVisit source
- Reference 69TRADEMAPtrademap.orgVisit source
- Reference 70ARGUSMEDIAargusmedia.comVisit source
- Reference 71PIGIERPAINTSpigierpaints.comVisit source
- Reference 72S NEALs Neal.comVisit source
- Reference 73PFIZERpfizer.maVisit source
- Reference 74SOTHEMAsothema.maVisit source
- Reference 75ZIRHzirh.comVisit source
- Reference 76ARGANargan.maVisit source
- Reference 77EURENCOeurenco.comVisit source
- Reference 78VEOLIAveolia.maVisit source
- Reference 79ICISicis.comVisit source