The relationship between Spain and Morocco remains in a state of relative tension, with Morocco continuing to encourage the occupation of Ceuta and Melilla. Meanwhile, the Spanish government downplays or outright denies any issues with Morocco, consistently asserting that the country led by Mohamed VI is a "reliable partner." However, it is undeniable that Morocco serves as a significant trading partner for Spain, with a remarkable statistic indicating that **one in five of Morocco's exports is directed towards Spain.**
This insight is drawn from data provided by the Economic Complexity Observatory (OEC): in 2024, the latest available data shows that **19% of Morocco's exports were destined for Spain, amounting to a value of $12 billion.** Following Spain, France ranks as the second destination for Moroccan exports, accounting for 15.8% of the total, valued at $10 billion.
Significant Growth in Exports to Spain
When examining the specifics of what Morocco exports to Spain, products mainly include **"electrical and electronic machinery,"** non-woven clothing accessories, vehicles, tractors, trucks, and parts thereof, as well as **"fruits and vegetables,"** among other items. A comparison with 2019, which marked the first full year of Pedro Sánchez's leadership in Spain, reveals a substantial increase in these exports, with an impressive growth rate of **50%.** In 2019, the value of Moroccan exports to Spain stood at $8 billion, while exports to France were valued at $7.19 billion. This indicates that the gap between Spain and France has widened since then.
Another notable fact to consider is that the European Union represents the region with the most extensive trade relations with Morocco. According to the World Trade Organization, in 2024, **53.2% of the products purchased by Morocco originated from the EU, while 65% of all Moroccan exports were directed towards the EU.**
Import Trends and Economic Interdependence
On the import side, Morocco acquires a variety of products from Spain, with the monetary value of these imports reaching $8.97 billion in 2019, and surging to **$14.5 billion by 2024, marking an increase of 61.65%.** In contrast, imports from France grew from $5.91 billion in 2019 to $9.42 billion in 2024. Key products imported by Morocco from Spain include **"mineral fuels, mineral oils, and products for distillation,"** vehicles, tractors, trucks, machinery, mechanical appliances, and electrical machinery.
Thus, it is clear that Spain stands as Morocco's primary trading partner globally, being the leading country for both imports and exports. This expanding commercial relationship has developed notably since Pedro Sánchez took office, which makes it particularly striking that Morocco frequently engages in systematic attacks against its largest trading partner—on which a significant portion of its exports relies. Conversely, **exports from Spain to Morocco constitute merely 3.66% of the total products sold outside its territory.**
As reported by libertaddigital.com.
