Casablanca – Morocco’s industrial sector continues to demonstrate resilience, with both manufacturing and extractive industries recording notable growth in the third quarter of 2025, according to data published by the High Commission for Planning (HCP). Despite some sectoral declines, overall industrial production shows a positive trend, reflecting the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its industrial base.

The HCP reported that the manufacturing production index, excluding petroleum refining, increased by 2.2% in Q3 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This follows a stronger 7% rise observed in Q2, indicating sustained momentum in industrial output over consecutive quarters.

The growth in manufacturing production is largely attributed to several key sectors. Food industries saw an 11.3% increase, while the manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products grew by 12.2%. The chemical sector rose by 4.3%, and automotive production expanded by 7.4%. Other areas showing robust growth included the manufacture of rubber and plastic products, which surged by 16.2%, and the production of other transport equipment, up 19.9%. These increases reflect a combination of strong domestic demand and continuing export-oriented production in key sectors.

Despite these positive trends, some manufacturing segments experienced significant declines during the quarter. Tobacco product manufacturing fell sharply by 28.4%, while the pharmaceutical industry decreased by 17.3%. The manufacture of fabricated metal products (excluding machinery and equipment) declined by 6.6%, and metallurgy contracted by 8%. These declines highlight ongoing structural challenges in certain sectors of the Moroccan economy, including shifts in international demand and domestic market adjustments.

The performance in Q3 aligns with trends observed in Q2, when several sectors experienced both growth and contraction. In Q2, the chemical industry had expanded by 9.3%, non-metallic mineral products by 10.8%, and food industries by 9.0%. Meanwhile, tobacco product manufacturing had grown by 19.1%, the automotive sector by 5.6%, electrical equipment production by 16.3%, and metallurgy by 17.2%. However, declines were noted in clothing production (-11.6%), other transport equipment (-14.5%), leather and footwear industries (-9.1%), and rubber and plastic products (-3.2%). These figures illustrate the cyclical and sector-specific nature of Morocco’s industrial growth.

In addition to manufacturing, Morocco’s extractive industries also showed positive performance in Q3. The production index for this sector rose by 7.4%, supported by a 7.5% increase in various extractive products and a 3.2% rise in metallic ores. This compares with Q2, which had recorded a higher growth of 16.8%, driven primarily by a 17.4% increase in other extractive products and a marginal 0.1% rise in metallic ores. The extractive sector continues to play an important role in Morocco’s industrial landscape, contributing both to domestic supply and export revenues.

Electricity production also maintained its growth trajectory, with the production index increasing by 6.4% in Q3. This follows a 9.4% increase in Q2, indicating a steady expansion of the energy sector that supports industrial activity and broader economic development.

The data from the HCP illustrate a Moroccan industrial sector that is largely on an upward trajectory, despite pockets of decline in specific industries. The growth in key sectors such as food production, chemicals, automotive manufacturing, and rubber and plastics highlights the country’s industrial diversification and export capacity. At the same time, challenges in the tobacco, pharmaceutical, and metallurgical sectors underscore the need for continued investment, modernization, and adaptation to changing market conditions.

The combined performance of manufacturing, extractive industries, and electricity production underscores Morocco’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its industrial base, support economic growth, and maintain competitiveness in regional and global markets. Analysts note that sustaining these trends will require continued policy support, infrastructure investment, and attention to sector-specific challenges, ensuring that growth remains inclusive and resilient across the industrial spectrum.