A Historic Surge in Trade Between Morocco and the United Kingdom During the First Quarter of 2025
ALDAR/ Zakaria El Jabri
Trade exchanges between Morocco and the United Kingdom recorded a significant leap during the first three months of 2025, reaching approximately 6 billion dirhams—a 16.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to official data from both British and Moroccan sources.
This exceptional rise, which marks a record in the history of trade relations between Rabat and London, was driven by strategic sectors where Morocco has managed to enhance its competitiveness—most notably the agri-food industry, the automotive sector, and textiles.
Since the UK’s departure from the European Union, economic relations between Morocco and the United Kingdom have undergone substantial transformations, spearheaded by the Partnership Agreement signed in 2019. This accord preserved the same benefits previously available under the EU partnership framework while also opening new horizons for direct bilateral cooperation.
Today, the UK stands among Morocco’s top trade partners within the European sphere, benefiting from the Kingdom’s strategic geographic location as a gateway to Africa and its growing capacity in industrial and agricultural value chains.
Available data indicate that Moroccan exports to the British market during this period were particularly bolstered in the agri-food sector, especially in fresh and canned agricultural products, which are in high demand in the UK due to their quality and compliance with European health and environmental standards.
The automotive sector also continued to perform strongly, thanks to the advancement of local assembly operations in Morocco by global companies such as Renault and Stellantis. This has established the Kingdom as an effective industrial hub for exporting vehicles and auto parts.
As for the textile sector, it too benefited from the repositioning of global supply chains, with British companies now seeking suppliers who are geographically closer and more flexible—criteria that Morocco meets with its expertise and advanced industrial infrastructure.
These figures reflect not just a temporary trade boost, but the beginning of a structural transformation in the economic relationship between the two countries. This shift is further supported by business meetings, joint forums, and growing British investments in Morocco, particularly in renewable energy, higher education, and logistics.
This positive momentum is expected to continue throughout the rest of the year, especially with the launch of new projects and an increase in institutional cooperation. All of this paves the way for a new phase of economic integration between the two nations, based on mutual benefit and balanced partnership.
