Morocco’s manufacturing production, excluding petroleum refining, declined by 1.4% during the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to new figures released by the High Commission for Planning (HCP).
The decline was mainly driven by lower production in several key industries.
Output in the manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products fell by 8.6%, while food industries recorded a decrease of 3.5%.
Production in the clothing industry dropped by 8.1%, and electrical equipment manufacturing declined by 11.3%.
The HCP also reported decreases in the manufacture of metal products, excluding machinery and equipment, which fell by 5.8%.
Chemical industries saw a decline of 1.4%, while the metallurgy sector dropped by 8.9%. Despite the overall decline, a number of sectors posted positive results during the quarter.
Morocco’s automotive industry continued to expand, with production rising by 4.5% compared with the first quarter of 2025.
Other industries also recorded notable growth. Production of other transport equipment increased by 28.2%, while the pharmaceutical industry expanded by 4.5%.
The manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products posted a strong increase of 7%, and beverage production rose by 2.1%.
The country’s extractive industries also faced challenges during the period.
The production index for the sector declined by 1.9%, mainly due to a 2% decrease in the production of various extractive products. This was partly offset by a 0.7% increase in the production of metallic ores.
Meanwhile, the HCP noted that electricity production also registered a decline during the first three months of the year, reflecting slower activity in the energy sector.
The latest figures point to mixed performance across Morocco’s industrial landscape, with growth in strategic sectors such as automotive and pharmaceuticals helping to cushion declines in manufacturing, mining and energy.
