Fez — Morocco’s handicrafts sector posted a new export high in 2025, reaching MAD 1.232 billion (approximately $131 million), according to government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas.
He underlined the sector’s importance as a major source of jobs and income across the country in comments to the media this week after a government council meeting, stressing that the latest figures confirm its growing role in Morocco’s trade.
Baitas noted that exports have risen sharply in recent years, moving from MAD 792 million in 2019 (approximately $84 million) to the 2025 record. He also pointed to Morocco’s main foreign markets, saying the United States is the leading importer accounting for 49% of Moroccan handicraft exports, followed by France with 10.5%.
This trend reflects stronger international demand for Moroccan products and a widening reach for craftspeople and cooperatives exporting traditional and contemporary handmade goods, he explained.
Beyond exports, the government spokesperson emphasized the sector’s scale inside Morocco’s economy. He said handicrafts contribute to employment for about 20% of the active population, with women representing 54% of the workforce. For many regions, this female participation is structural, linking artisan work to household stability, cooperative activity, and local economic resilience.
Baitas drew attention to how closely the sector is tied to Morocco’s cultural economy and visitor experience, stressing that handicrafts contribute around 7% of Morocco’s GDP, represent 7.6% of exports, and account for about 10% of tourism revenues.
He also highlighted opportunities for graduates, citing an 85% professional integration rate, suggesting the sector is not limited to informal work but can provide real career pathways.
Baitas concluded that recent state social programs, particularly expanded health coverage, have helped artisans access stronger protections, improving working conditions and supporting a more favorable environment for production.
