Doha – The Galician textile industry is looking towards Morocco as a strategic alternative following the unprecedented crisis in Portugal, where over 1,000 textile companies have shut down in 2024.

This devastating scenario has left numerous Galician firms without key suppliers, forcing them to relocate part of their production to ensure continuity, according to reports from Spanish media.

Moroccan media outlets, echoing information published in Spain, indicate that the closure of more than 1,000 Portuguese textile companies this year has triggered a domino effect impacting the Spanish industry.

As a result, many Galician textile companies are seeking alternatives in Morocco and Turkey to mitigate the crisis.

Morocco, with its geographical proximity, competitive labor costs, and an annual business volume of around $5 billion, emerges as a strategic location for Galician companies.

Industry growth

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Moroccan textile industry remains an economic pillar of the country, with over 1,600 companies, nearly 190,000 employees, and an estimated sales volume of $5 billion.

This infrastructure and production capacity make it an ideal destination for Galician companies seeking to diversify their operations and ensure their survival amidst the crisis.

In 2024, the Moroccan textile sector generated revenues of approximately MAD 45 billion ($4.5 billion), marking a 7% growth compared to the previous year.

Textile and clothing exports reached MAD 32 billion ($3.2 billion), with the EU accounting for 65% of export destinations.

The sector employs around 190,000 people, representing about 10% of the country’s industrial workforce, and contributes an estimated 15% to the industrial GDP.

The Moroccan textile industry has seen a 12% increase in the adoption of advanced technologies such as automation and production management software.

Significant investments in research and development (R&D) are being made to improve product quality and manufacturing processes.

Initiatives aimed at reducing the sector’s carbon footprint, including the use of recycled fibers and ecological dyeing processes, are also underway.

Morocco’s total textile production in 2024 amounts to 950,000 tons, marking a 5% increase compared to 2023.

The total value of textile exports in 2024 is estimated at $4.5 billion, with the European Union, the United States, and several African countries being the main markets for Moroccan textiles.

Exports to Germany represent a significant share of this total, reaching $550 million, mainly consisting of clothing and technical fabrics.

Hidden tragedies

However, this bright side does not mean that the situation is entirely rosy. Global brands often exploit legal loopholes in the application of labor codes to produce their clothing at low costs in Morocco, contributing to fatal work accidents in factories located in basements lacking safety precautions.

In February 2021, a tragic flood in Tangier highlighted the dire consequences of such practices. The incident occurred at the A&M Confection textile factory, located in the basement of a residential villa in Tangier.

The factory, which lacked proper safety measures, was caught off guard by heavy rainwater that turned into violent, muddy torrents.

The floodwaters surprised the workers inside, who were engrossed in sewing women’s clothing for export, bearing the name of the “Pull & Bear” brand owned by the Spanish fashion group “Inditex.” Sadly, 28 workers lost their lives, including 19 women.

Just recently, a massive fire broke out at a textile factory in Tangier’s Al Majd industrial zone on the evening of November 19, causing extensive material damage but fortunately resulting in no injuries or casualties.

Just days before that, on November 14, 40 women working at a textile factory in Fez were hospitalized due to suffocation from a gas leak. They were taken to the regional hospital after suffering symptoms of suffocation and difficulty breathing at the factory.