Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Morocco began the period at 33.3 thousand tonnes in 2018, but contracted to 31.5 thousand tonnes in 2019. The market was characterized by the presence of large international confectionery firms, while local producers faced constraints due to consumer demand for low-price products, which may have pressured market volumes.

In 2020, market volume rose to 34.3 thousand tonnes, followed by a drop to 31.3 thousand tonnes in 2021, though market value increased to $75.7 million. This reflected a post-COVID-19 recovery in the sector, supported by the return of normal consumption patterns such as school attendance, and a shift towards higher-quality products amid growing health concerns related to sugar. By 2022, volume recovered to 33.7 thousand tonnes, with value reaching $84.1 million.

A significant expansion occurred in 2023, with market volume jumping to 40.1 thousand tonnes and value surging to $107.8 million. This growth coincided with rising production costs for sugar, energy, and packaging, which drove up prices, and a strong consumer trend towards reduced-sugar or sugar-free products, boosting demand for cocoa-free alternatives. Regulatory changes, including an increase in import duty on cocoa-containing products from 17.5% to 40% implemented in 2021, and new sugar price controls published in early 2024, also shaped market conditions.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco ranked 28th globally in terms of production volume for cocoa-free sugar confectionery.

Top producers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, cocoa-free sugar confectionery production in Morocco increased in 2020, reaching 38 280 tonnes. This represented minimal change compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 38 137 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Morocco was valued at 69 439 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 3.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 2.5%, with a CAGR of -0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 67 113 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 73 741 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.6%.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Morocco's cocoa-free sugar confectionery export volume totalled 8 986 tonnes, representing a sharp reduction of 26.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 48.8%, with a CAGR of -20.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 35.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 8.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco traded cocoa-free sugar confectionery with numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Mauritania, Guinea, and Senegal—collectively accounted for only 31.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

In 2020, Morocco exported 16 300 thousand US dollars worth of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, which was 24.0% less than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 46.9%, with a CAGR of -19.0%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 31.6%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 2.2%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. Mauritania (13.7% of export value), Guinea (8.8%), and Senegal (7.1%) together made up just 29.5% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, foreign cocoa-free sugar confectionery supplies to Morocco declined in 2020, with imports amounting to 5 046 tonnes. This marked a modest decline of 9.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 24.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 559 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 23.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt (26.6% of import volume), Spain (16.8%), and Turkey (12.0%) were the key sources for cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports into Morocco, together accounting for 55.4% of total 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

Following a two-year uptick, Morocco's cocoa-free sugar confectionery import volume declined in 2020, with imports valued at 19 326 thousand US dollars. This represented a modest drop of 4.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 26.9%, with a CAGR of 8.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 291 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 26.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt (27.1% of import value), Spain (15.1%), and Turkey (11.2%) were the largest suppliers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Morocco, together forming 53.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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