Moroccan industrial operators expect an overall increase in production and sales over the next three months, according to the central bank, Bank Al-Maghrib.
In its monthly survey on industrial conditions, the bank said expectations vary by sector, with growth anticipated in the “chemical and semi-chemical” and “mechanical and metallurgical” industries, while activity is forecast to remain stable in the “food industry” and “textile and leather” sectors.
However, the report also pointed to a degree of uncertainty among businesses, with 27% of firms expressing doubts about future production levels and 19% about sales prospects.
The survey indicated an improvement in activity during February, as both production and sales increased. Capacity utilisation remained stable at 78%.
By sector, production is estimated to have risen in “chemical and semi-chemical” and “mechanical and metallurgical” industries, remained stable in the “food industry”, and declined in “textile and leather”.
Sales are also believed to have increased across most sectors, except for “textile and leather”, where they are thought to have fallen. According to market destination, sales likely rose in both domestic and foreign markets.
New orders, however, are estimated to have declined overall, reflecting decreases in the “textile and leather” and “chemical and semi-chemical” sectors, despite increases in the “food industry” and “mechanical and metallurgical” industries.
Order books are thought to have remained below normal levels overall, weighed down by the “textile and leather” and “chemical and semi-chemical” sectors. In contrast, they were considered normal in the “food industry” and above normal in “mechanical and metallurgical” industries.
