The imminent exemption of customs duties for Indian textiles in the European market, as part of the negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the European Union (EU), represents a turning point for the sector global textile. This context encourages Moroccan textile players to reassess their strategies to adapt.
Far from being an insurmountable threat, this situation offers a unique opportunity for Morocco to reposition itself by exploiting its competitive advantages and its geographical proximity to Europe.
Growing pressure on Moroccan textiles
The Moroccan textile sector, which ranks eighth among EU suppliers, went through a period of vulnerability in 2023. Its exports to Europe recorded a drop of 14.2%, reaching 2.55 billion euros. This decrease is explained by a contraction in European consumption, itself impacted by inflation and other economic factors. In this context, the arrival of Indian textiles, supported by competitive costs, could intensify the pressure on Moroccan players.
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However, according to Anass El Ansari, president of the Moroccan Association of Textile and Clothing Industries (AMITH)“this is an opportunity, because Morocco is very well rated in the world in terms of textile downstream”. This observation reflects the resilience and ability to adapt of the Moroccan sector, which has recognized know-how and a strategic position at the crossroads of international trade.
Sustainability as a strategic lever
Faced with new European requirements, in particular the implementation, in 2026, of the carbon tax, Morocco can capitalize on its geographical proximity and its capacity to meet reinforced environmental standards. This situation is pushing major textile nations like China, India, Bangladesh and Turkey to consider redeployments to Morocco, in order to maintain their competitiveness in the European market.
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“The arrival in 2026 of the European carbon tax pushes these industries to court Morocco with a view to redeploying there, through downstream activity, towards Europe,” explains this sector expert. This tax, combined with the growing sustainability expectations of European consumers, offers Morocco an opportunity to position itself as an eco-responsible supplier.
-Moroccan efforts in favor of sustainable production are not negligible. They include investments in renewable energy to power factories, reducing water use in dyeing processes and recycling textile materials. These initiatives not only meet the expectations of international markets, but also benefit from the institutional support of the EU.
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An opportunity for triangular integration
For some experts, the exemption of Indian textiles could be transformed into an opportunity thanks to a triangular integration model. By collaborating with India and the European Union, Morocco could import Indian fabrics at low cost to process them locally before exporting them to the European market. This strategy is inspired by previous agreements concluded with countries such as Turkey.
This model is all the more relevant as the Moroccan sector continues to attract international investors. “The year 2025 will be the year of textiles in Morocco, because more and more operators are setting up, knowing what this represents as a challenge for the future of their market shares in Europe and the Americas,” affirms Anass El Ansari. The recent visit of an Indian delegation to the headquarters of AMITH, “to invite the association to participate in their international textile fair in February, also illustrates the strategic importance that India attaches to a partnership with Morocco” .
Seizing the Sustainability Momentum
To take advantage of this new situation, increased collaboration between public authorities and industry is essential to accelerate the energy transition and promote green investments. Furthermore, the diversification of outlets beyond Europe, particularly in Africa and North America, should be a priority.
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Anass El Ansari underlines the immediate priorities: “Relaunching investment and creating jobs”, while insisting on the long-term ambition of developing the textile upstream. Morocco thus has a unique opportunity to transform a challenge into a lever for modernization and growth. By placing sustainability and competitiveness at the heart of its strategy, the Moroccan sector can establish itself as a key player in global textiles, while consolidating its position on the European market and beyond.
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