Bread market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

Morocco's bread market volume expanded from 9 489 tons in 2018 to 12 725 tons by 2020. This initial growth coincided with the launch of a government support program for the bakery sector, which included updating regulations defining basic bread and commercializing bakery products. The period also saw the entry of new local and franchised enterprises, modernizing equipment and shops, which helped professionalize the sector and stimulate market activity.

A sharp acceleration occurred in 2021, with market volume jumping 66% to 21 208 tons. This surge was directly linked to state intervention: the suspension of a 135% customs duty on soft wheat and the introduction of a direct subsidy on its imports. These measures lowered raw material costs for flour, encouraging a substantial increase in bread imports and helping stabilize retail prices to support consumption.

Market growth continued despite global headwinds, reaching 28 053 tons in 2023. Soaring international wheat prices following the Russia-Ukraine war pressured production costs, but the government maintained a subsidized price for ordinary bread to protect consumer access. Furthermore, 2024 saw the announcement of a major joint venture to build a new industrial facility for fresh and frozen bread production, representing a significant investment aimed at modernizing the national supply.

Production bread in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of bread, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, 2017-2020

In 2020, Morocco produced 808.7 tons of bread, marking a 2.1% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 0.7%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports bread from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Morocco's bread exports totaled 2 124 tons, showing a slight increase of 1.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 155 tons. The largest decrease happened in 2019, with a 3.3% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 15.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Morocco's bread exports in kind were Spain, Mauritania, and France. Together, they accounted for 83.8% of the total export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Morocco in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Bread exports from Morocco declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the value of these exports was 4 676 thousand US dollars, representing a 29.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 10.2%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 3.5%. The peak value was in 2018 at 6 897 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 32.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Morocco in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, Spain, Mauritania, and France formed the core group of markets for Morocco's bread exports in value terms. Spain held 37.6% of the export value, Mauritania 24.5%, and France 18.6%, combining for 80.7% of the total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Morocco in value, 2017-2020

Imports bread to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

Bread imports into Morocco increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 14 041 tons, up by 4.7% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 94.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 24.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, t

Over the 2017-2020 period, Spain, Poland, and Belgium consistently led as the top sources for Morocco's bread imports in kind. Spain accounted for 27.5% of imports, Poland for 15.5%, and Belgium for 14.9%, together making up 57.9% of the total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Morocco in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Bread imports into Morocco rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, the import value was 37 549 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong increase of 17.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 90.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Morocco in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain, Belgium, and Poland remained the key destinations for Morocco's bread imports in value terms. Spain represented 24.6% of the import value, Belgium 16.4%, and Poland 10.8%, collectively accounting for 51.8% of the total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Morocco in value, 2017-2020