Office des Changes: Moroccan exports of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables to Germany record a new record
HIBAPRESS-RABAT
Between January 1 and June 30 of the current year, the growth rate of exports (+3%) was faster than that of imports (+2%). Enough for the rate of coverage of imports by exports to gain 0.6 points to 61.9%, but not enough to reduce the trade deficit which is slightly worsening (+0.4%).
During the first six months of the current year, imports of goods increased by 2% to 365.87 billion DH, according to the latest data from the Office des Changes.
Moroccan exports of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables to Germany recorded a new record in the first quarter. The Kingdom shipped nearly 35,000 tons of vegetables and fruits during this period. Fresh and frozen berries, greenhouse tomatoes, sweet peppers, frozen raspberries and fresh blueberries are the most exported products.
Their growth rate was lower than that of exports (+3% to 226.43 billion DH). The rate of coverage of imports by exports gained 0.6 points to 61.9%. The trade deficit widened by 0.4% to 139.43 billion DH.
Concerning exports, those of the automobile industry climbed +9% to 80.54 billion DH, thanks in particular to the increase in sales in the construction segment, that of wiring and vehicle interiors and seats).
International sales of Phosphates and derivatives increased by 7.5% to 38.56 billion DH. This development is mainly due to the increase in sales of natural and chemical fertilizers (+1,705 million DH) and phosphates (+1,001 million DH). In aeronautics, exports jumped by 16.5% to 12.97 billion DH, mainly due to the increase in sales in the Assembly segment.
As for Electronics & Electricity, shipments to international markets fell by 4.4% to 8.65 billion DH. This sector recorded a decline in sales of electronic components, offset by the increase in exports of devices for cutting or connecting electrical circuits.
Agriculture & Agri-food also saw its international sales decrease: -2.6% to 46.23 billion DH. This decrease is mainly due to the decline in sales in the food industry.
In textiles and leather, finally, the fall in exports reached 7.2% to 23.44 billion DH, essentially due to the drop in exports of ready-made clothing and shoes.
At the end of last June, imports of finished equipment products increased by 6.8% to 85.26 billion DH. An increase dependent on the increase in purchases of utility vehicles, devices for cutting or connecting electrical circuits and diodes, thyristor transistors, & photosensitive devices.
Semi-finished products also saw their purchases from abroad increase: +6.1% to 79.82 billion DH. This increase follows the rise in purchases of semi-finished products in iron or non-alloy steel, chemicals and paper & cardboard.
Finished consumer products are the 3rd and last category of goods whose imports increased as of June 30: +3.1% to 81.36 billion DH, due to the increase in purchases of parts and pieces for passenger cars (+8.4%) and medicines and other pharmaceutical products (+22.1%).
For their part, Food Products saw their international purchases fall by 0.9% to 45.28 billion DH. A decline in imports of oilcakes and wheat, offset by the increase in purchases of live animals.
As for raw products, the observed decline reached 9.3% of imports to 16.35 billion DH, mainly due to the drop in imports of crude or refined soybean oil and scrap metal, waste and other minerals. However, it should be noted that these declines were mitigated by an increase in imports of oilseeds and fruits.
The energy bill, finally, is reduced by 5.2% to 57.43 billion DH, following the drop in supplies of petroleum gas and other hydrocarbons (-24.1%) and coal, coke and fuels (-29.7%).
