Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for baked goods in Morocco expanded rapidly from 25 398 t to 36 480 t. This growth was initiated by the state-backed RAWAJ plan and a new sectoral program in 2018, which aimed to modernize regulations and support artisans, encouraging the entry of new local and franchised businesses. The following year, a ministerial circular enforced stricter organization and hygiene rules for bakeries, strengthening the formal market. Despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which forced some closures, the crisis accelerated a shift to online sales and home delivery, exemplified by the launch of the Croc brand. Furthermore, a major 100 million dirham investment by Retail Holding and Aljia Gourmet to build an industrial frozen production facility and a national network of modern bakeries added significant new capacity to the market.

Market growth continued in 2021, with volume reaching 41 511 t, even as the sector grappled with a vertiginous rise in raw material prices that increased production costs. Informal competition remained a persistent challenge for formal operators. In 2022, the market volume stabilized at around 41 200 t. This coincided with the reopening of the duty-free border post with Ceuta in March 2022, which intensified competition from imported Spanish biscuits and pastries, applying pressure on the local market structure and contributing to the plateau in total volume.

The market entered a new growth phase in 2023, with volume climbing to 45 075 t. This increase was supported by a substantial rise in domestic production, which jumped to 3 675 t, indicating a significant expansion of local manufacturing output within the sector.

Production bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

In 2020, Morocco produced 2 426 tons of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, marking a modest increase of 2.1% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 0.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the production value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in Morocco saw a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 223 thousand US dollars, representing a 14.3% decrease year-over-year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 6 098 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase happened in 2018 with a 15.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Morocco in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, the export volumes of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Morocco decreased. In 2020, exports totaled 4 990 tons, which is 7.8% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 9.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 412 tons, with the largest increase also occurring that year at 14.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Morocco in terms of volume were Mauritania, accounting for 47.8% of exports, Spain with 20.1%, and the Netherlands at 3.9%. Together, these three countries made up 71.9% of total exports in kind.

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, M $ US

Following two years of gains, Morocco's export value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 10.7 million US dollars, reflecting a significant drop of 22.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 13.9 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 18.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal buyers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Morocco in value terms were Mauritania, representing 38.8% of exports, Spain with 18.9%, and France at 9.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 67.6% of total exports in value.

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, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

The volume of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares imports into Morocco increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Morocco imported 39 044 tons, showing a sharp uptick of 25.2% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 146.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 35.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the leading suppliers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to Morocco in terms of volume were Spain, accounting for 33.7% of imports, Turkey with 12.5%, and Italy at 8.6%. Together, these three countries represented 54.8% of total import flows in kind.

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, M $ US

The value of imported bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Morocco rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 105.6 million US dollars, corresponding to a sharp increase of 33.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 134.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 32.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to Morocco in value terms were Spain, representing 30.1% of imports, Turkey with 10.9%, and Italy at 10.6%. Together, these three countries formed 51.6% of total imports in value.

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

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