Current State of Spain-Morocco Relations
The relationship between Spain and Morocco remains one of relative tension, characterized by Morocco's ongoing encouragement of the occupation of Ceuta and Melilla. Meanwhile, the Spanish government continues to downplay or outright deny any issues with Morocco, repeatedly asserting that the country led by King Mohammed VI is a "reliable partner." Nevertheless, it is evident that Morocco is a significant trading partner for Spain, with one in five of its exports destined for the Spanish market.
Trade Statistics and Trends
Recent data from the Economic Complexity Observatory (OEC) reveals that in 2024, 19% of Moroccan exports were directed towards Spain, amounting to a staggering $12 billion. France follows closely as the second-largest recipient of Moroccan exports, accounting for 15.8% of the total, valued at $10 billion. A variety of products are exported from Morocco to Spain, including electrical and electronic machinery, non-woven clothing accessories, vehicles, tractors, trucks, and agricultural produce such as fruits and vegetables.
When comparing these figures to 2019, the first full year of Pedro Sánchez’s administration, it becomes clear that Moroccan exports to Spain have surged by 50%. In 2019, the value of Moroccan exports to Spain was $8 billion, while exports to France stood at $7.19 billion, indicating a growing gap between the two countries.
It is also worth noting that the European Union is the region with the most robust 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 to European markets.
On the import side, Morocco has seen a significant increase in the value of products imported from Spain, rising from $8.97 billion in 2019 to $14.5 billion in 2024, marking a remarkable growth of 61.65%. In contrast, imports from France increased from $5.91 billion in 2019 to $9.42 billion in 2024.
The main products that Morocco imports from Spain include mineral fuels, oils and distillation products, vehicles, tractors, trucks and their parts, as well as machinery and electronic equipment. This underscores the critical role Spain plays as Morocco's primary trading partner globally, being the top country for both imports and exports. Despite this expanding commercial relationship under Sánchez’s leadership, it is interesting to note that Morocco continues to systematically challenge its largest trading partner, which is crucial for a substantial portion of its export economy. Conversely, Spain's exports to Morocco account for only 3.66% of the total products sold outside its borders.
As reported by libertaddigital.com.
