Casablanca – The trade relationship between Morocco and France showed positive growth in 2024, with bilateral trade increasing by 0.9%, driven by significant political and diplomatic developments. Notably, France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara marked a milestone in the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

According to the latest report from French customs, released on February 9, 2025, French exports to Morocco saw a notable rise of 13.1%, amounting to approximately $8 billion, up from $7.2 billion in 2023. On the other hand, imports from Morocco remained stable, recording a slight decrease of 0.4%, remaining at $8 billion, the same level as the previous year.

This improvement led to a trade surplus of 0.9% for France with Morocco in 2024, compared to a trade deficit of 0.8% in 2023. The total value of French exports to Morocco was $8 billion, while imports from Morocco were valued at around $8 billion, resulting in balanced trade for the year.

Beyond Morocco, French trade with the broader Maghreb region showed mixed results. Trade exchanges with Algeria grew by 1.1%, while Tunisia’s trade grew slightly by 0.1%. Libya saw a modest growth of 0.4%.

In terms of overall trade with Africa, France posted a trade surplus of $2.7 billion with the continent, despite an overall trade deficit of $7.1 billion.

Energy trade with European partners saw a reduction, with France’s energy bill dropping by $7.6 billion to a total of $11.7 billion. This decline was attributed to reduced imports of hydrocarbons and electricity from Belgium, Spain, and Germany.

Lastly, France’s trade with European countries outside the European Union deteriorated by $1.1 billion, despite maintaining a positive surplus of $11.1 billion. This was largely due to an increase in imports from these countries, which rose by $1.3 billion, compared to a slight $0.1 billion increase in exports. Notably, trade surpluses with Switzerland and Ukraine contracted, while the trade deficit with Russia widened to approximately $2.3 billion.

Overall, Morocco remains a key trade partner for France in the Maghreb, with both countries benefiting from the sustained growth and diversification of their economic exchanges.