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A panel, organized on the occasion of the first day of MIM 2024, brought together various global institutions specializing in textiles, namely Euratex, IAF, ITMF and UKTF.
Mapping the sourcing world textiles, l’IAF (International Apparel Federation), a global federation bringing together clothing manufacturers, brands and textile industry associations, highlighted the continued growth of Moroccan textile exports, intended mainly for the European market. Notable growth, but far from spectacular, qualifies the federation, noting that there is always a way to do better.
Morocco’s market shares expected to grow
“As a global federation, looking at all the different countries, we are seeing new trends happening in Morocco. Trends that are also happening globally. Both Morocco and Tunisia are among the countries whose textile exports to the EU are growing,” says the IAF.
“Morocco and Tunisialike Asian countries like India, have many emerging opportunities. The industry expects their market share to grow,” specifies the federation.
The EU remains the main market for Moroccan clothing products, notes the latter. “Morocco, an important supplier to Europe, is ranked directly after mega-exporters, notably China, Bangladesh and Turkey, as evidenced by the figures for European imports of knitted clothing and woven clothing fromEurostat“.
There is steady growth for Morocco, but it is not spectacular growth
The value of Moroccan exports of knitted clothing to the EU have in fact doubled between 2023 and 2008, going from 2 billion euros to more than 4 billion euros. Same trend observed for Moroccan woven clothing exported to the EU. The value of these exports increased from barely 1 billion euros in 2008 to almost 5 billion euros.
“There is regular growth for Morocco, but it is not spectacular growth. We could therefore say that it is a ‘good’ problem, because there is room for progress”, nuance the IAF.
Morocco is one of the suppliers nearshoring of the EU which outnumber suppliers geographically distant from the EU (sourcing far away), notably the BangladeshChina, Indonesia, India, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Vietnam, it is further emphasized.
“We note a slight increase in the percentage of sourcing proximity compared to 2008. There is a craze for nearshoringbut it is not a spectacular trend. This could be the case in the years to come, but it is not automatic. To attract this business, much remains to be done,” concludes the federation.
Decarbonization: Morocco called to collaborate with the EU
European regulations are the other subject discussed during this panel. Seeking to reduce the environmental impact of the textile sector while developing a more competitive sector, the European Commission launched, in 2022, the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, linked to the European Green Dealrecalls in this respect Euratexthe European Clothing and Textiles Confederation which represents the interests of the European textile and clothing industry at the level of the EU institutions.
The measures envisaged include, among others:
– New design requirements applicable to textiles, setting a minimum content of recycled fibers in the composition of textiles and aiming to make them more resistant and easier to repair and recycle. With the proposed regulation, sustainable textile products will become the norm in the EU. It will also become prohibited to destroy unsold items under certain conditions, including unsold or returned textiles.
– Clearer information on textiles and a digital product passport, in line with requirements for mandatory information on circularity and other essential environmental aspects.
– Measures intended to address the challenges linked to stopping exports of textile waste.
The EU wants to involve and collaborate with Morocco as part of this new vision
“It is important for Morocco too. If it wants to be part of this new vision for the sector, it must ensure that its products will respect these quality criteria and these environmental criteria. Know that there will be a more advanced control to check whether products comply with the new regulations,” explains Euratex.
“The EU wants to involve and collaborate with Morocco as part of this new vision. The agreement signed today between Euratex and AMITH is part of this line.”
“Another important point to highlight: the revision of the PEM convention (pan-Euro-Mediterranean) which will come into force from January 1, 2025. Once approved, this revision will facilitate the development of this supply chain integrated between the EU and the Mediterranean countries. This is an opportunity to further develop our cooperation with Morocco,” concludes Euratex.
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