RABAT, June 16 – Morocco’s manufacturing output fell by 1.4% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to new figures released by the country’s High Commission for Planning (HCP).
The decline, which excludes petroleum refining, was largely driven by weaker performance across several major industries. Production of other non-metallic mineral products dropped by 8.6%, while food manufacturing declined by 3.5%.
The clothing industry also had a difficult start to the year, with output falling by 8.1%. Electrical equipment manufacturing recorded one of the sharpest declines at 11.3%, while production of fabricated metal products, excluding machinery and equipment, fell by 5.8%.
Other sectors were not spared as chemical production slipped by 1.4%, and the metallurgy industry posted an 8.9% decline during the quarter.
However, some of Morocco’s key industries continued to show resilience. The country’s automotive sector, one of its strongest export drivers, expanded by 4.5% compared with the first quarter of 2025.
Production of other transport equipment rose by 28.2%, marking the fastest growth among manufacturing activities. Pharmaceutical manufacturing increased by 4.5%, while computer, electronic and optical products recorded a 7% rise. Beverage production also edged higher by 2.1%.
Beyond manufacturing, Morocco’s extractive industries faced pressure during the period. The sector’s production index declined by 1.9%, mainly due to a 2% drop in the output of various extractive products. A modest 0.7% increase in metallic ore production helped soften the decline.
The HCP also reported lower electricity production in the first three months of the year, pointing to slower activity across parts of the energy sector.
