Morocco’s chemical and para-chemical industry has emerged as a key driver of industrial growth, generating about MAD 200 billion (US$21.79 billion) in turnover and accounting for nearly 23 percent of the country’s industrial exports, an official said Wednesday.
Speaking at the opening of the fourth International Chemistry Forum in Agadir, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Omar Hejira said the sector has become the leading component of Morocco’s industrial production base, underscoring its rising role in export performance and value chain integration.
The industry spans chemicals, para-chemicals and related manufacturing activities and is increasingly linked to strategic sectors such as energy, automotive production, pharmaceuticals, advanced materials and battery storage technologies.
Officials say its expansion reflects Morocco’s broader industrialisation strategy aimed at strengthening export capacity and integrating the country more deeply into global value chains.
Hejira said the sector is playing a growing role in supporting technological, energy and environmental transitions, noting that industrial chemistry is central to adapting to shifting global economic conditions.
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He cited the sector’s high energy intensity, saying it accounts for about 26% of total industrial energy consumption, and stressed the need to improve efficiency and expand renewable energy use within production processes.
“The chemical and para-chemical industry consumes around 26% of the energy used by the industrial sector. It is now essential to focus on improving energy efficiency and developing renewable energy sources,” he said.
The official also highlighted the impact of global supply chain disruptions and rising costs of energy and raw materials, which have increased pressure on industrial competitiveness worldwide.
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In response, he called for deeper industrial integration to strengthen resilience, improve productivity and enhance Morocco’s position in international markets.
The sector’s strong export performance has made it a cornerstone of Morocco’s industrial trade, with officials noting that it now accounts for almost a quarter of total industrial exports.
That performance reflects growing demand for Moroccan manufactured inputs in Europe and other international markets, particularly in automotive supply chains and fertiliser-related industries.
Morocco has in recent years positioned itself as a regional industrial hub, leveraging its geographic proximity to Europe, trade agreements and expanding logistics infrastructure.
The chemical industry has benefited from this strategy, alongside other export-oriented sectors such as automotive manufacturing, aerospace components and renewable energy equipment.
However, officials warn that industrial activity remains heavily concentrated geographically, with about 85% of chemical and para-chemical production located in the Casablanca-Settat and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima regions.
Hejira called for a more balanced distribution of industrial investment across the country to support regional development and reduce disparities in economic activity.
“It is necessary for this sector to expand into other regions as well in order to achieve balanced territorial development,” he said.
Policy makers say diversification of industrial hubs is increasingly important as Morocco seeks to spread economic opportunities more evenly while maintaining export competitiveness.
The government has encouraged greater private investment in emerging industrial zones, alongside initiatives to improve infrastructure and energy access in less developed regions.
Analysts say Morocco’s chemical sector is likely to remain a central pillar of its industrial strategy, particularly as global demand shifts toward cleaner technologies, advanced materials and more sustainable production processes.
With rising integration into global supply chains, the sector’s performance is expected to play a significant role in shaping Morocco’s export outlook in the coming years.
