Uncooked pasta market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market value of uncooked pasta in Morocco experienced notable fluctuations, peaking at 13.8 million USD in 2020 before declining to 9.5 million USD in 2022. The initial period was underpinned by state-driven initiatives like the Plan Maroc Vert and its Generation Green strategy, which prioritized the development of value chains including pasta and couscous, aiming to boost local agricultural processing from 20% toward a 70% target. This framework supported the industrial agri-food sector, featuring several large companies that benefited from public support for innovation and capacity building.

The market faced a sharp contraction in 2021 and 2022, primarily driven by a surge in international durum wheat prices—a key raw material for which Morocco depends on imports—combined with rising maritime freight costs. These factors directly increased production expenses and consumer prices, dampening demand. Concurrently, the sector adapted to new regulatory requirements with the 2022 decree (n°2-22-136) that strengthened quality and sanitary safety standards for pasta and couscous, potentially raising compliance costs. Despite significant industrial investments during this period, such as the inauguration of the new KENZPAT production unit in Skhirat with a 200 million dirham investment aimed at expanding local output, the overall market size continued to decline amid high input costs.

A modest recovery to 10.2 million USD occurred in 2023, supported by a substantial expansion in exports, which exceeded 125,000 tons between May 2023 and June 2024, allowing the industry to utilize its existing overcapacity. The sector also benefited from ongoing government efforts to increase the share of local sourcing in distributor brands, targeting 80% of turnover by 2024. These developments helped stabilize the market, leveraging Morocco's production base to serve both domestic and international demand.

Production uncooked pasta in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

World map of production of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

In 2020, Morocco produced 12 939 tonnes of uncooked pasta, 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%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Morocco's uncooked pasta production rebounded in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 9 548 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial increase of 16.2% over 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 218 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.8%.

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

Exports uncooked pasta from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Morocco's exports of uncooked pasta in volume terms declined in 2020. Exports reached 10 316 tonnes, reflecting a significant reduction of 16.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 76.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.8%. The peak was in 2019 at 12 410 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 50.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guinea, Senegal, and Togo were the primary markets for Morocco's uncooked pasta exports in volume terms, accounting for 32.0%, 26.9%, and 15.2% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 74.2% of total export flows.

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

After two consecutive years of gains, Morocco's uncooked pasta exports in value terms decreased in 2020. Exports totalled 7 613 thousand US dollars, down by 5.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 75.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 052 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 43.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the leading destinations for Morocco's uncooked pasta exports in value terms were Guinea, Senegal, and Togo, contributing 26.6%, 22.6%, and 10.6% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 59.8% of total export 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 uncooked pasta to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

Morocco's imports of uncooked pasta in volume terms increased for the second year in a row in 2020. Imports amounted to 11 026 tonnes, up by 3.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 5.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 9 782 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.5%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with imports growing by 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Turkey, and China were the top sources for Morocco's uncooked pasta imports in volume terms, making up 36.6%, 35.3%, and 14.5% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 86.4% of 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

Morocco's imports of uncooked pasta in value terms continued to rise for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports reached 11 834 thousand US dollars, showing a strong increase of 12.2% over 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 3.7%, with an average annual rate of 1.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 10 210 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Turkey, and China led as the main suppliers of uncooked pasta to Morocco in value terms, contributing 40.7%, 23.9%, and 17.9% of imports, respectively. Their combined share reached 82.5% 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