Casablanca – Morocco’s textile and ready-made garment industry maintained its position among the European Union’s major external suppliers during the first five months of 2026, with exports to EU countries generating approximately $1.22 billion. The performance comes at a time when total European imports of textiles and clothing have contracted, placing greater emphasis on suppliers’ ability to preserve market access, respond quickly to orders and compete on factors beyond production costs.

According to figures from the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association, compiled from Eurostat data, Morocco ranked eighth among suppliers of textiles and clothing to the European Union between January and May 2026. Moroccan shipments exceeded 40,000 metric tons during the period, while the country accounted for 2.7% of total EU textile and apparel imports.

The value of Moroccan exports increased by 3.3% compared with the same period of 2025. This growth is significant because it occurred against a broader decline in European textile purchasing. EU imports of textiles and clothing fell by 11.9% year on year during the first five months of 2026, reaching approximately $44.8 billion.

The latest figures extend a trend seen over the past several years. Moroccan textile and clothing exports to the EU were worth more than $2.9 billion in 2024 and increased to roughly $3.24 billion in 2025, based on the reported euro values. The sector has therefore maintained a substantial flow of exports to its main international market despite changes in European demand and increased competition from Asian suppliers.

A stable market share in a weaker European market

Morocco’s share of the EU textile and clothing import market declined slightly from 2.8% in 2024 to 2.7% in 2025. It remained at that level during the first five months of 2026.

The stability of the share contrasts with the decline in total EU imports. While European buyers reduced their overall purchases, Moroccan suppliers recorded higher export values compared with the first five months of the previous year.

One factor attracting attention is the increase in the average value of Moroccan shipments. The average export price reached approximately $30 per kilogram during the January-May period of 2026, compared with about $28.3 per kilogram in 2025 and roughly $29.1 per kilogram in 2024.

The figures indicate that Morocco’s export performance is not simply a matter of increasing physical volumes. The value generated from each kilogram of products shipped to Europe has also increased, suggesting changes in product composition, pricing or the types of orders being supplied.

Competition from Asian producers remains strong

China continued to dominate the EU’s external textile and clothing supply during the first five months of 2026. Its shipments were valued at more than $12.8 billion, significantly ahead of other suppliers.

Bangladesh ranked second with approximately $8.6 billion, while Turkey was third with around $3.9 billion. The figures demonstrate the scale of competition facing Moroccan manufacturers, particularly from countries with large production capacities and established relationships with European brands.

Turkey’s performance was weaker than in the previous year. Its exports to the EU declined by approximately 15.8% during the January-May period, while the country lost 2.2 percentage points of its market share over two years.

At the same time, the average value of Turkish textile and clothing imports into the EU increased from approximately $23.7 per kilogram in 2025 to about $24.1 per kilogram during the first five months of 2026.

The changes in Turkey’s position are part of a broader restructuring of European sourcing. European buyers are increasingly balancing production costs with delivery times, flexibility, supply-chain reliability and proximity to consumers. This creates opportunities for suppliers located relatively close to the European market, including Morocco.

Geographic proximity remains an advantage

Morocco’s geographic position is one of the factors supporting its textile industry’s relationship with European buyers. Manufacturers can supply European markets by relatively short transport routes, allowing them to respond to changing orders more quickly than many suppliers in Asia.

This proximity has helped Morocco become integrated into European manufacturing and retail supply chains. The European Union remains Morocco’s largest trading partner, and official EU data shows that textiles and clothing accounted for about $2.69 billion in EU imports from Morocco in 2025 when converted from the reported euro value.

The International Finance Corporation also reported in 2026 that approximately 93% of Morocco’s textile exports go to the European Union, highlighting the sector’s strong dependence on European demand. The organization estimated that the Moroccan textile and apparel industry employs around 246,000 people and generates approximately $7.4 billion in revenue.

This concentration provides Moroccan manufacturers with access to a large and established market, but it also leaves the sector exposed to changes in European consumption, regulations and sourcing strategies.

Sustainability is becoming more important

Environmental requirements are another factor likely to influence the future competitiveness of Moroccan textile producers.

The European market is increasingly placing emphasis on sustainability, traceability, resource efficiency and circular production. With most Moroccan textile exports directed toward the EU, changes in European environmental standards could have a direct effect on local manufacturers.

The IFC has highlighted circularity as an important issue for Morocco’s textile sector, particularly as European requirements become stricter. For Moroccan companies, investment in waste reduction, recycling, energy efficiency and more sustainable production processes could therefore become increasingly relevant to maintaining access to European buyers.

The sector’s established export base gives Moroccan companies an existing platform from which to adapt to these requirements. However, meeting new standards can also require investment in equipment, production systems and supply-chain monitoring.

Women’s clothing leads European demand

The structure of EU apparel imports also provides an indication of where demand remains concentrated.

Women’s clothing represented the largest ready-made garment category imported by the European Union during the first five months of 2026, with purchases worth approximately $11 billion. Men’s clothing imports, by contrast, declined by 14% year on year to about $7.2 billion.

These differences matter for manufacturers because demand varies significantly across product categories. Companies able to adjust production quickly to changing consumer preferences may have an advantage in an environment where overall import volumes are declining.

Morocco’s position in the European supply chain

The first five months of 2026 present a mixed picture for Morocco’s textile industry. European textile and clothing imports declined sharply, but Moroccan exports increased in value and the country’s market share remained stable at 2.7%.

Morocco’s approximately $1.22 billion in textile and apparel exports during the period also needs to be viewed alongside its performance in other manufacturing sectors. EU data shows that Morocco’s exports to the bloc have increasingly diversified beyond traditional agricultural products, with machinery, transport equipment, chemicals and textiles all contributing to the country’s industrial trade.

For the textile industry, the main challenge will be maintaining competitiveness while European buyers continue to reassess their suppliers. Low production costs remain relevant, but proximity, delivery speed, product quality, flexibility and compliance with environmental requirements are becoming increasingly important.

The latest export figures suggest that Moroccan manufacturers have so far been able to preserve their position despite weaker European demand. Whether that performance continues through the remainder of 2026 will depend on European consumption, global competition and the industry’s ability to adapt to changing sourcing and sustainability requirements.

For now, Morocco remains one of the EU’s significant textile and apparel suppliers, with more than $1.2 billion in exports recorded during the first five months of the year and a stable position among the bloc’s leading external sources.