Casablanca – Morocco’s trade links with Russia are strengthening in 2025, with the Kingdom emerging as a key North African buyer of Russian raw materials despite Moscow’s broader export challenges. Recent data shows a sharp rise in Russian copper shipments to Morocco, while coal from Russia’s Rostov region is also finding its way into Moroccan ports, even as U.S. coal continues to dominate the country’s energy imports.

Copper shipments surge

According to Russian Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alihanov, Morocco’s imports of Russian copper jumped by 85% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Speaking during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Alihanov highlighted Morocco as one of the most dynamic destinations for Russian metals, alongside Turkey and Asian markets.

“International markets are absorbing a wide range of Russian products, including metals, chemicals, fertilizers, machinery, timber goods, and agricultural products,” Alihanov said. He pointed to Morocco’s rising demand for copper as part of this broader trend, while noting that Turkish purchases of Russian copper increased by 166% over the same period.

For Morocco, the spike in copper imports coincides with strong demand from construction, manufacturing, and electrical industries. Copper remains a critical input for Morocco’s growing industrial base, particularly as the country expands infrastructure projects and develops renewable energy systems that require copper-intensive cabling and components.

Coal from Rostov finds new buyers

While Morocco is diversifying its copper supplies, it has also become a key destination for Russian coal from the Rostov region. Despite Western sanctions and limited access to European markets, producers in Rostov shipped more than 650,000 tonnes of coal in the first half of 2025, roughly matching last year’s levels.

The shipments were successfully redirected toward North Africa and Asia, with coal finding demand in Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. Exports to Turkey also saw a notable increase.

Officials in Rostov emphasize that favorable geological conditions and stable equipment capacity have allowed producers to maintain export levels despite sanctions. However, the industry continues to face rising costs and logistical challenges, with long-haul shipments to non-European markets replacing traditional short-distance routes to the EU.

A strategic shift in Morocco-Russia trade

The recent surge in copper and coal imports highlights Morocco’s willingness to deepen commodity trade with Russia even as Western sanctions reshape global supply chains. For Moscow, North Africa has become an important outlet for redirecting exports away from Europe. For Rabat, Russian raw materials offer both price competitiveness and supply diversification.

Outlook

Looking ahead, Russia has set ambitious goals for its trade profile, with a federal “Industrial Export” program aiming for 20% of industrial exports to consist of high-tech goods by 2030. Yet for now, traditional commodities like copper and coal remain at the center of its trade relationship with Morocco.

For Rabat, the increased flow of Russian copper is likely to support ongoing infrastructure and industrial expansion, while limited but steady coal shipments from Rostov reflect Russia’s determination to maintain its footprint in North Africa. The interplay of Russian and U.S. supplies, particularly in energy, shows how Morocco is becoming a focal point of competition between major global exporters.

As 2025 progresses, Morocco’s position as both a customer and a strategic partner will likely grow, shaping how Russia navigates its evolving role in African markets and how Morocco secures the raw materials critical to its development.