Compared to the same period a year earlier, the exports of Moroccan handicrafts have increased by 21% in the first seven months of 2022, generating a volume of MAD 595.7 million ($56.7 million) against MAD 494.2 million ($47.1 million) in 2021. According to the latest figures released by Morocco’s Ministry of Crafts, pottery and stones are the country’s most exported items, with a 29% rise in revenue of MAD 180.38 million ($17.2 million), accounting for 30% of the market share. Coming in the third position are carpets, whose exports have exploded by 131%, recording a turnover of MAD 121.35 million ($11.5 million), representing 20% of exports of Moroccan handicrafts. Basketry ranks fourth among exported items, generating a revenue of MAD 90.08 million ($8.5 million), a 42% rise from the end of July 2021, holding a 15% market share.
Traditional clothes (jellabas, caftans) and slippers are ranked sixth. These items have grown by 100%, resulting in a MAD 87.23 million ($8.3 million) turnover. The United States is the top destination of Moroccan handicrafts, with the Crafts Ministry’s statistics showing that exports to the US reached MAD 217.31 million ($20.7 million) this year, up 62% from 2021. France came in second place, purchasing Moroccan handicrafts for MAD 89.6 million ($8.5 million), a 5% increase from July 2021. Spain rounds off the podium with a 26% rise, purchasing Moroccan handicrafts for MAD 56.65 million ($5.4 million). Casablanca contributes to more than half of Moroccan handicraft exports. Marrakech, Tangier, Nador, and Essaouira followed closely behind, the crafts ministry figures showed.