Industrial production in Morocco witnessed a remarkable increase in April with a 64 percent Capacity Utilization Rate (UCA), reported Bank Al-Maghrib in its monthly survey for April. The fact-finding that encompassed a sample of around 400 industrial contractors, showed a progress in production and sales.
Sales have increased reflecting improved shipments abroad, with local sales stagnating over a one month period. Orders have registered a significant rise with a backlog settling at a normal level.
The increase in industrial production reached all branches except the textile and leather sector, which marked a slight stagnation.
The Capacity Utilization Rate reached 72 percent in the agri-food sector, 71 percent in textiles and leather, 57 percent in chemistry and para-chemistry, 67 percent in mechanics and metallurgy, and 83 percent in the electrical and electronic sector, states Bank Al Maghrib.
Sales registered a significant increase in the chemistry and para-chemistry and in the mechanics and metallurgy sectors, while retreating in the textile and leather and electrical and electronic sectors and stagnating in the agri-food industry.
Orders increased in the food and beverage and chemicals and para-chemistry sectors, while marking a decline in textiles and leather and electrical and electronics, and a stabilizing in the mechanics and metallurgy industry.
The level of order books have also been higher than normal in the chemical and para-chemical, normal in the food industry and below normal in the mechanics and metallurgy, electrical and electronic and in the textile and leather sectors, details the survey.
For the next three months, manufacturers expect an overall increase in production and sales, concludes the note.
