Morocco-Spain Trade Reaches Record Highs in 2024 Despite Customs Issues

According to data from the Secretariat of State for Trade, reported by The Objective, Spanish exports to Morocco during the first ten months of 2024 reached 10.843 billion euros, compared to 8.220 billion euros for imports, representing an increase of 6.8% for exports and 9.1% for imports compared to 2023.

These figures confirm a good dynamic, despite the non-reopening of the commercial customs of Melilla, closed by Morocco since August 2018, and the non-creation of a customs in Ceuta, as promised by the kingdom in 2022, following the change in Spain’s position on the Sahara. The Moroccan authorities cited technical problems to justify the delay in activating these customs.

While Spanish exports to Morocco accounted for 3% of the total in 2022, they increased to 3.2% in 2023 and 3.4% in 2024. As for imports, they went from 1.9% in 2022 to 2.1% in 2023 and 2.3% during the first ten months of 2024. These figures indicate that Morocco is the second destination for Spanish exports outside the EU after the United States, and the third supplier of Spain outside the EU, after the United States and China.

If Spain mainly imported Moroccan fruits and vegetables between 2023 and October 2024, it imported insulated cables, mollusks, cars, parts and accessories, non-woven women’s clothing and fruits in the latter month. In October 2024, the Iberian peninsula exported refined petroleum, engines, cars, parts and accessories