Moroccan clothing exports to the European Union (EU) climbed by 33 per cent in the first half of 2022.

With a three per cent market share, Morocco is the EU’s second clothing supplier, behind Turkey but ahead of Tunisia. In addition to the growing exports, Morocco’s average costs in the clothing industry have risen by nearly 14 per cent in a year, ranking sixth among the EU’s top ten suppliers behind Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Vietnam and Pakistan.

Morocco is becoming a growingly attractive destination for global textile companies. Several brands from the European Union, the UK and the US have been sealing deals with Moroccan companies in the textile industry.

The world’s leading textile groups are migrating from traditional Asian manufacturers to closer markets offering favorable conditions, such as Morocco.Logistical costs, the downturn caused by the pandemic and the increase of salaries in China have induced western textile giants to look for more favorable partners.

Distributors who used to buy exclusively in Asia are now shopping in Morocco. Morocco now has an opportunity to become a major textile player. But there is a need to provide credit insurance for Moroccan producers to ease the export process.Moroccan textile companies which are largely specialized in packaging need to step up and become producers of finished products.