Moroccan Manufacturing Sector Forecasts Modest Production Growth in Q4 2020

In a note on the results of its surveys, the HCP indicated that these expectations would be due to an increase in the "manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products" and the "chemical industry", as well as a decrease in the "manufacture of rubber and plastic products" and the "food industries". Regarding employment expectations, industrialists expect a stability in the number of employees.

The energy production expected for the 4th quarter of 2020 will record a decrease attributable to a decrease in "Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning production and distribution". As for employment, it would also experience a decrease. For the same quarter, environmental industry companies anticipate an increase in production, particularly in the activities of "Water collection, treatment and distribution" and a stability in the number of employees.

It should be noted that in the 3rd quarter of 2020, the production of the manufacturing industry experienced a decline caused by the decrease in production in the branches of "Food industries", "Manufacture of electrical equipment" and "Manufacture of textiles" and an increase in production in the branches of "Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products" and "Manufacture of beverages".

According to the HCP, the capacity utilization rate (TUC) in the manufacturing industry stands at 76%.