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Morocco’s Manufacturing Output Slides 1.4% in Q1 2026, While Auto and Pharma Sectors Show Gains
The High Commission for Planning (HCP) reports that Morocco’s non‑oil‑refining manufacturing production index fell 1.4% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. While most sub‑sectors—such as non‑metallic minerals, food, apparel and electrical equipment—recorded sharp declines, the automotive, other transport equipment, pharmaceuticals, IT‑electronics and beverage segments posted strong growth. Extractive‑industry production slipped 1.9% and electricity generation contracted by 3.7%.
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Overview
The High Commission for Planning (HCP) reports that Morocco’s non‑oil‑refining manufacturing production index fell 1.4% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with Q1 2025.
Sector‑by‑Sector Performance
Most sub‑sectors recorded declines, notably:
- Other non‑metallic mineral products: –8.6%
- Food industry: –3.5%
- Apparel manufacturing: –8.1%
- Electrical equipment production: –11.3%
- Metal products (excluding machinery): –5.8%
- Chemical industry: –1.4%
- Metallurgy: –8.9%
Conversely, a few niches posted strong growth:
- Automotive industry: +4.5%
- Other transport equipment: +28.2%
- Pharmaceuticals: +4.5%
- IT, electronic and optical products: +7.1%
- Beverage production: +2.1%
Extractive and Energy Sectors
The extractive‑industry production index slipped 1.9%, driven by a 2% drop in “diverse extractive products” while “metallic minerals” rose 0.7%.
Electricity generation also weakened, with a 3.7% decline.
Implications
The overall contraction points to a slowdown in traditional manufacturing, although the automotive and pharma segments suggest pockets of resilience that could offset some of the weakness later in the year.