Record Growth in Morocco’s Cement Sales
Morocco has witnessed a significant surge in cement sales, with a 17.57% increase recorded in July 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year. This growth highlights a strong momentum in the construction and public works sector, as reported by the Ministry of National Territorial Planning, Urban Development, Housing, and Urban Policy.
According to data from the Professional Association of Cement Manufacturers, approximately 1.39 million tons of cement were sold in July alone. This reflects heightened activity driven by major infrastructure projects and seasonal maintenance works across sectors such as sports, transportation, and public facilities. The cumulative sales through the end of July reached 8.28 million tons, marking an 11.03% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Breakdown of Cement Sales
The distribution of cement sales showed a clear trend, with distribution cement accounting for the largest share at 4.57 million tons. Ready-mix concrete followed closely with 2.04 million tons, while precast concrete sales totaled 852,022 tons. Infrastructure projects consumed 538,708 tons, general construction used 236,198 tons, and mortar accounted for 37,478 tons.
The Financial Studies and Forecasting Directorate also noted this upward trend, reporting a 9.8% growth in cement sales during the first half of 2025. This indicates a consistent rise in demand across the sector.
Infrastructure Demand Driving Growth
Public infrastructure remains a key driver of this growth. Deliveries for infrastructure projects increased by 6.4%, while ready-mix concrete deliveries rose by 19.2%. Distribution of cement saw a 6.1% increase, and precast concrete sales climbed by 17.7%.
Idriss El Fina, a Moroccan economist specializing in the real estate sector, described this growth as “unprecedented.” He pointed out that Morocco hasn’t seen such figures since 2004–2006 under the Jettou administration. According to El Fina, the current growth exceeds previous years’ performance and reflects a genuine upward trend since 2023.
He attributed the momentum to two main factors: self-initiated building projects, including home renovations, and large-scale public infrastructure development. About 200 billion dirhams have been allocated to public works from a total public investment budget of 350 billion dirhams in 2025. This allocation reflects a broader government vision beyond projects related to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and 2030 World Cup preparations.
Job Creation in the Construction Sector
According to Morocco’s High Commission for Planning, the construction and public works sector added 53,000 new jobs in the second quarter of 2025. This indicates a positive impact on employment and economic activity.
Beyond Stadiums and Sports
El Fina emphasized that the growth in cement consumption is not limited to stadiums and sports infrastructure. It also reflects ongoing work on dams, ports, airports, post-earthquake reconstruction in Al Haouz, and urban renewal across various cities. He predicted that cement sales would reach 15.2 million tons by the end of 2025 and could surpass the record 16 million tons set in 2011 by 2026.
Caution Over Real Estate Assumptions
However, Anis Benjelloun, a real estate developer and vice president of the National Federation of Real Estate Developers, cautioned against interpreting rising cement sales as a sign of a residential real estate boom. He explained that while 8.28 million tons of cement were sold by the end of July, this does not necessarily indicate growth in the housing sector. Cement is also used in non-residential construction, such as roads, hospitals, and public institutions.
Benjelloun stressed that more accurate indicators of housing market health include the number of housing unit permits issued, the number of occupancy permits granted, and actual residential sales figures. He concluded that any objective analysis of the sector’s state must rely on precise, direct indicators rather than just cement consumption or loan volume.