By the year 2025, the total bilateral trade between Vietnam and Morocco is projected to reach approximately $380 million, marking an impressive increase of around 25% compared to 2024. In the first half of this year, trade relations between the two countries continued to thrive, exhibiting a robust growth rate of 26%. This positive trend underscores the strengthening economic ties and mutual benefits that both nations are experiencing through enhanced trade activities.
According to Ms. Tran Le Dung, head of the Vietnamese Trade Office in Morocco, the array of Vietnamese goods exported to Morocco is remarkably diverse. Key product categories include telephones and their components, computers, electronics and their components, textiles and footwear, coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, seafood, rice products, machinery, processed foods, and various consumer goods. Conversely, Vietnam primarily imports fertilizers and raw materials for fertilizer production, chemicals, minerals, and certain manufacturing inputs from Morocco.
A notable aspect of their bilateral trade relations is Vietnam's significant trade surplus with Morocco, where exports to Morocco significantly exceed imports. This indicates that Morocco not only represents a substantial market for Vietnamese goods but also possesses the potential to serve as a gateway for these products into North Africa and parts of West Africa.
Through direct collaboration with Moroccan importers, traders, and businesses, the Vietnamese Trade Office in Morocco has observed that Vietnamese products are generally well-regarded for their quality, competitive pricing, and adaptability to meet customer demands. Recently, at business meetings hosted by the Trade Office, Moroccan partners showed heightened interest in products such as coffee, cashew nuts, pepper and spices, seafood, processed foods, confectionery, and consumer goods. Notably, Vietnamese rice noodles and spring roll wrappers have gained popularity among Moroccan consumers, showcasing the appeal of Vietnamese culinary offerings.
However, Ms. Tran Le Dung emphasized that the Moroccan market has its own unique characteristics. Consumers place a strong emphasis on price, packaging, labeling in French or Arabic, product origin, and compatibility with Islamic culture. For food items and certain products that require Halal certification, food safety compliance, quarantine regulations, and traceability, Vietnamese companies must be particularly diligent in meeting these requirements.
Another challenge lies in the limited awareness of Vietnamese products in Morocco. While many Vietnamese goods are of high quality, Moroccan consumers are often unaware of their Vietnamese origins as the products are imported through intermediaries or marketed under those intermediaries' brand names. Ms. Tran Le Dung advised that Vietnamese companies should focus not only on sales but also on brand building, creating attractive packaging, providing information in French/Arabic, and collaborating with distributors that have established local networks.
The Vietnamese Trade Office in Morocco views the country as a relatively open economy with a significant demand for imports of raw materials, machinery, equipment, energy, as well as certain food and consumer goods. Morocco's increased investments in infrastructure, industry, logistics, tourism, and projects in preparation for the 2030 World Cup further amplify the demand for imported machinery, equipment, materials, furniture, consumer goods, and products for the hospitality sector.
Vietnam possesses the production capabilities to supply various product categories that Morocco needs to import. With strengths in tropical agricultural products, seafood, processed foods, textiles, footwear, and electronics, Vietnam is well-positioned to meet Moroccan demands. Nevertheless, Vietnamese businesses face several challenges. Firstly, geographical distance and logistics costs present obstacles, as there is no regular direct sea route between Vietnam and Morocco, resulting in relatively long transportation times. Secondly, there is no free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, whereas Morocco has established numerous FTAs with key partners. Consequently, Vietnamese products in certain categories must compete with goods from the European Union (EU), Turkey, and other nations that benefit from preferential tariffs with Morocco. Thirdly, the requirements for technical standards, food safety, quarantine, labeling, Halal certification, and customs procedures are becoming increasingly stringent, while Morocco is also tightening its trade protection measures against certain products in light of rapidly increasing imports.
To navigate these challenges, Ms. Tran Le Dung recommended that Vietnamese companies thoroughly examine import taxes based on HS codes, adhere to mandatory standards, secure necessary certifications, and assess the reputation of their partners before entering contracts. Caution is advised in payment methods, including pre-transaction partner verification and prioritizing secure payment options for new customers.
Since the beginning of the year, the Vietnamese Trade Office in Morocco has implemented numerous trade promotion measures aimed at bridging Vietnamese businesses and products with importers, traders, and retail markets in Morocco, rather than solely providing market information. One of the key activities was participation in the International Agricultural Exhibition SIAM 2026 in Meknès, one of the largest agriculture and food fairs in Morocco and Africa. At the exhibition, the Trade Office showcased and promoted Vietnamese products and export strengths while proactively networking with Moroccan businesses, importers, and traders.
Additionally, in collaboration with the Casablanca-Settat Chamber of Commerce, the Trade Office organized a program to showcase Vietnam's economic and trade potential and facilitate networking among businesses in Casablanca. Ms. Tran Le Dung added that the Trade Office also encouraged several Moroccan importers to attend the International Supply Chain Connections Fair 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, offering Moroccan businesses the opportunity to meet Vietnamese manufacturers directly, visit factories, identify suppliers, and establish direct import relationships. This initiative is particularly crucial as many Moroccan companies are transitioning from importing Vietnamese goods through intermediaries to directly collaborating with Vietnamese manufacturers and exporters.
The trade potential between Vietnam and Morocco remains substantial. With its strategic location in North Africa, relatively open economy, and extensive network of trade agreements, Morocco is not only a market with over 37 million consumers but also has the potential to serve as a significant gateway for Vietnamese products to expand their presence in North Africa and other African markets.
As reported by vietnam.vn.
