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Agadir – The High Commission for Planning (HCP) released its quarterly report, stating that Moroccan industries anticipate a mixed, yet cautiously optimistic, outlook for the first quarter of 2026.
In the manufacturing sector, the report stated that companies expect an increase in their production levels. This expected growth is “mainly attributable, on the one hand, to higher activity in the food industry, chemical industry, and manufacture of metal products.”
However, activity in the automotive sector and the production of non-metallic mineral products is anticipated to decline.
Regarding employment, industrialists “generally foresee a slight increase in the number of employees,” reflecting a modest improvement in workforce levels.
For the extractive industry, the HCP noted that companies “anticipate a decrease in production for the first quarter of 2026,” primarily due to reduced phosphate output. However, in contrast to production, “business leaders in this sector expect an increase” in employment, suggesting continued investment in human resources, despite lower output.
The energy sector is projected to see a decline in production, the HCP report explained, “attributable to lower activity in ‘Production and Distribution of Electricity, Gas, Steam, and Air Conditioning.” Employment in this sector is also expected to decline during the same quarter.
In the environmental industry, the survey showed that companies “anticipate stable production, particularly in the activities of water capture, treatment, and distribution, with workforce levels remaining unchanged.” This reflects continued steadiness in essential environmental services despite fluctuations in other sectors.
Turning to the construction sector, business leaders “indicate, overall, an increase in activity.” The report explained that this growth is expected “on the one hand, from the expected rise in activity in building construction and civil engineering, and on the other hand, from the projected decline in specialized construction works.
This overall positive trend in the sector is also expected to be accompanied by “a projected increase in the number of employees,” signaling strengthening labor demand in construction.
Overall, the HCP’s quarterly survey reveals optimistic findings for Q1 2026, particularly in manufacturing and construction, suggesting a potential recovery and growth trajectory for Morocco’s economy.
