Morocco-Israel Trade Surges 75% Following Diplomatic Normalization

Since the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel in December 2020, trade exchanges between the two countries have seen a strong increase, according to statistics presented by Youssef Zahoui, head of the division of commercial relations with Europe at the Ministry of Industry, during a webinar on opportunities in Israel, organized by the Moroccan Association of Exporters (ASMEX).

According to the official, Moroccan exports to Israel have increased from $67 million in 2019 to over $117 million in 2021, an increase of nearly 75%. The textile and clothing sector accounts for the lion’s share with $80 million in exports to Israel, compared to $30 million for agricultural and agri-food exports.

As for Moroccan imports of Israeli products, they have increased from $4 million in 2019 to $31 million in 2021, of which $19 million for the aeronautics sector. At the end of 2021, Morocco has a positive trade balance of $87 million, adds the official who indicates that certain products such as citrus fruits (84%), sardines (43%), couscous (54%), hand-woven tapestries (42%) or coats and capes (49%) have a "strong positioning" on the Israeli market.

Despite this improvement, these trade exchanges remain well below the potential, notes the Ministry of Industry, which also intends to develop exports in the phosphates and derivatives, chemicals and petrochemicals, or the seafood processing industries. The objective is to "quadruple" the volume of $30 million in the coming years, said Meryem Kabbaj, from the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE).