Moroccan Notebook Industry Struggles as Imports Surge, Dominating School Supply Market

While the local market represents a total volume of 22,000 tons, or 450 million dirhams, more than 6,800 tons of school notebooks have already been imported into the Moroccan market for the next school year and at a total cost of 150 million dirhams.

According to Aujourd’hui Le Maroc, Tunisian producers (15.69% for Sitpec and 27.71% for Sotefi) occupy more than 90% of the import market thanks to the five-year anti-dumping duties granted by the Moroccan authorities.

This presence of imported production on the market represents a threat to local importers who have to sell their production only during two months out of the 10 that the school year lasts.

The other threat for industrialists this year is the epidemic due to the coronavirus. The resurgence of new infections has also delayed the start of the school year. This situation has led to a 15% drop in sales and a reduction in the cost of the notebook (8 to 12% compared to last year).