Casablanca – Morocco’s cement market recorded a sharp increase in September, with sales rising by 19.31% year on year to about 1.46 million tonnes. The monthly increase comes against a more moderate performance over the first nine months of 2026, when cumulative sales reached nearly 10.99 million tonnes, up 1.17% from the same period a year earlier.

The figures provide a useful indication of construction activity in Morocco, where cement consumption is closely linked to the pace of building, infrastructure works and concrete production. The September acceleration suggests that activity strengthened toward the end of the third quarter, particularly in infrastructure and ready-mix concrete.

The construction sector has been receiving support from public investment, major infrastructure programs and preparations for large international events. At the same time, activity remains uneven across different parts of the market, with some construction-related segments continuing to record declines.

Infrastructure provides the strongest support

Infrastructure was one of the main drivers behind the September increase. Cement sales directed toward infrastructure projects rose by 19.49%, reaching nearly 843,000 tonnes.

The increase is significant because infrastructure projects generally require large volumes of cement and concrete over extended construction periods. Road projects, transport facilities, airport expansion, urban development and other public works can therefore have a direct effect on cement demand.

Morocco is currently undertaking several large infrastructure programs, including investments in airports, roads, rail transport, urban facilities and other public assets. The country is also increasing investment ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

Airport modernization is one example of the broader investment cycle. Expansion and upgrading projects require substantial quantities of concrete for terminals, runways, access infrastructure and supporting facilities. Similar requirements apply to road and rail projects, where cement is used in bridges, stations, structures and associated urban works.

The rise in infrastructure-related cement deliveries therefore suggests that public and large-scale construction projects are becoming an increasingly important source of activity for the sector.

Ready-mix concrete also signals stronger building activity

Another important indicator was the performance of ready-mix concrete, where sales increased by 8.62% to around 2.95 million tonnes.

Ready-mix concrete is closely connected to construction sites because it is widely used for foundations, structural elements, slabs, columns and other components of buildings and infrastructure. Higher demand in this segment can therefore indicate greater activity at construction sites.

The increase is particularly relevant because ready-mix concrete demand covers several parts of the construction economy, from residential and commercial buildings to major infrastructure projects.

The September figures consequently suggest that the stronger cement market was not limited to cement distribution alone. The rise in ready-mix concrete points to increased consumption further along the construction chain.

Cumulative growth remains limited

Despite the strong September result, the broader picture is more moderate. Cement sales reached 10.99 million tonnes between January and September, compared with 10.86 million tonnes during the same period in 2025. The 1.17% increase shows that the construction market has expanded only gradually during most of 2026.

This difference between the monthly and cumulative figures is important. A 19.31% increase in September does not mean that construction activity has grown at the same pace throughout the year. Instead, it indicates a stronger performance toward the end of the third quarter following relatively restrained growth during the preceding months.

The figures also show that the recovery is not uniform across construction-related activities. Cement sales through distribution channels declined by 2.75%, while deliveries for precast concrete fell by 7.21%. Mortar sales decreased by 4.96%. Cement consumption linked directly to the building sector increased by only 0.87%.

These figures point to a market in which large infrastructure and ready-mix concrete projects are performing better than some traditional construction segments.

Housing remains an important part of the picture

Residential construction is particularly important for cement demand because housing projects account for a substantial share of construction materials consumption. The relatively small increase in cement sales linked to building activity suggests that residential and conventional construction have not experienced the same acceleration seen in infrastructure.

Morocco’s housing market is also being influenced by public policies designed to support home purchases. The national housing assistance program has attracted significant demand, with more than 105,000 beneficiaries recorded and more than 218,000 applications submitted according to figures available in 2026.

The effect of such measures on construction activity is not immediate. Housing support can stimulate purchases and encourage developers to bring projects forward, but the impact on cement consumption depends on the launch and progress of new construction projects. A sustained increase in housing starts would therefore be important for broadening cement demand beyond infrastructure.

Major projects could support construction through the coming years

Morocco’s current investment cycle could provide further support for cement consumption. The country is investing heavily in transport infrastructure, airports, roads, tourism facilities, stadiums, housing and urban development.

Airport expansion is receiving significant financing, while the expansion of the national road and transport network is generating demand for concrete and other construction materials. Preparations for the 2030 World Cup are also accelerating investment in stadiums, transport links, hotels and urban infrastructure.

The tourism sector’s strong performance adds another potential source of construction demand. Morocco welcomed 19.8 million tourists in 2025, while arrivals continued to rise during 2026. Continued investment in hotels and tourism facilities can translate into additional demand for cement, particularly in major tourist destinations.

The construction of industrial and logistics facilities is another factor. Morocco’s expanding automotive, aerospace, energy and logistics activities are creating demand for factories, warehouses, production facilities and related infrastructure.

Construction sector faces a mixed recovery

The September cement figures therefore provide a positive signal for Morocco’s construction market, but they should be interpreted alongside the more modest cumulative growth recorded since January.

The sharp monthly increase suggests that activity has strengthened in areas linked to major projects, particularly infrastructure and ready-mix concrete. However, the decline in precast concrete, mortar and distribution sales indicates that smaller or more traditional construction activities are not benefiting equally.

This divergence could remain visible in the coming months. Large public projects can generate substantial cement consumption even when residential and private construction remain relatively subdued.

The performance of the cement market will consequently depend on whether infrastructure investment continues to expand while housing and private construction gradually recover. A broader increase across these segments would provide stronger evidence of a sustained improvement in Morocco’s construction sector.

For now, September’s 19.31% rise represents a significant acceleration after a relatively slow start to the year. With nearly 11 million tonnes of cement sold during the first nine months and major infrastructure programs continuing, construction is likely to remain an important source of economic activity and demand for building materials in Morocco through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.