Morocco Food Packaging Market Overview
Morocco's food packaging market is valued at approximately USD 2.8 billion in 2025, with the margarine and fats packaging segment representing approximately USD 120 to 170 million. The country's GDP of approximately USD 140 billion supports a population of 37 million with strong margarine consumption driven by its essential role in Moroccan cuisine, particularly pastry (msemen, rghaif, briouats) and couscous preparation. Major margarine and fats producers include Lesieur Cristal (a subsidiary of Avril Group France, dominant market leader), Savola Morocco, and Siof. Lesieur Cristal's leading brands include Lesieur, Cristal, and Huilor. Morocco's position as a manufacturing hub with preferential trade access to the EU, U.S., Turkey, and 54 African countries under the AfCFTA creates export opportunities for food packaging produced domestically. PP resin is imported primarily from Saudi Arabia and Europe at approximately USD 1,250 to 1,400 per metric ton CIF Casablanca. The packaging machinery market is supplied by Chinese, Italian, Turkish, and French equipment manufacturers. Morocco's relatively stable economy and investment-friendly regulatory environment make it an attractive market for equipment suppliers.
IML mold system for margarine container production
Key Opportunities: Margarine Container Sector
Morocco's margarine container market is estimated at 350 to 500 million units annually, covering retail margarine tubs, cooking fats, and smen (traditional preserved butter) containers in formats from 250 grams to 1 kilogram. The 250-gram and 500-gram rectangular tubs with snap-fit lids and IML decoration are the dominant retail formats. Part weights range from 20 to 28 grams at 0.5 mm wall thickness in food-grade PP. Lesieur Cristal has fully adopted IML decoration for its premium product lines, setting the standard that competing brands must match. The expansion of modern retail through Marjane, Acima, Carrefour Market, and BIM Morocco is driving IML adoption across the entire margarine category. Morocco's export orientation creates additional volume opportunities, with Moroccan-produced food products including margarine being exported to West Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The addressable equipment market for IML margarine container production in Morocco is estimated at 25 to 40 machines over the next 5 years, including new installations and upgrades from non-IML production.
Import Regulations and Certification Requirements
Injection molding machines enter Morocco under HS code 8477.10, subject to import duties of 2.5% on CIF value, plus 20% VAT. Morocco's import procedures are among the most efficient in Africa, with customs clearance at Casablanca port typically completed in 5 to 10 working days. Food-contact packaging for margarine must comply with Moroccan NM standards administered by IMANOR, aligned with European EN standards and EU Regulation 10/2011. Margarine containers require fat migration testing to ensure PP material stability over the product's refrigerated shelf life. CE certification on HWAMDA machines is recognized by IMANOR. Morocco's bilateral free trade agreements mean that IML containers produced on HWAMDA equipment can potentially be exported to EU markets duty-free under the Morocco-EU Association Agreement, provided they meet EU food-contact material regulations. HWAMDA provides technical documentation in French and supports Moroccan converters in obtaining IMANOR certification for their finished packaging products. The Morocco-EU cumulation of origin rules further enhance export opportunities.
Key Specs
- •Injection molding machines enter Morocco under HS code 8477.10, subject to import duties of 2.5% on CIF value, plus 20% VAT.
Label magazine feeding system for consistent IML decoration
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HWAMDA Equipment for the Morocco Market
For Moroccan margarine container production, HWAMDA recommends the SPV5-400 (4,000 kN) with 4-cavity IML molds for standard retail tubs. The machine produces 500-gram rectangular margarine containers at 22 to 28 grams with 0.5 mm wall thickness, achieving 6 to 8 second cycle times for 1,800 to 2,400 containers per hour. The SWITEK IML system applies wraparound labels with plus or minus 0.1 mm accuracy, matching the quality standard set by Lesieur Cristal and other premium brands. The servo-hydraulic drive consumes 1.0 to 1.2 kWh per kilogram, important given Morocco's industrial electricity cost of approximately USD 0.10 per kWh. The INOVA controller supports French-language interface and provides data logging for quality traceability required by IMANOR and export market compliance. HWAMDA configures the machine for Morocco's climate with robust cooling system specifications. The mold uses DIN 2344 steel hardened to HRC 48-52 with BeCu inserts, designed for production runs exceeding 5 million shots. Container designs include snap-fit lid geometry and optional tamper-evident features.
Logistics and After-Sales Support
HWAMDA ships to Morocco via ocean freight from Ningbo to Casablanca port (22 to 28 days) or Tangier Med port for customers in northern Morocco near the Tangier Free Zone. The company provides French-language documentation and works with Casablanca-based agents who provide installation, commissioning, IML optimization, and operator training in French and Arabic. Morocco's efficient port infrastructure and customs procedures ensure rapid equipment clearance and delivery to industrial zones within 1 to 2 days of customs release. Remote diagnostics via the INOVA controller enable real-time troubleshooting support from HWAMDA engineers in Ningbo. HWAMDA maintains spare parts consignment with the Casablanca agent covering valve gate nozzles, hydraulic seals, screw tips, and other common wear items for immediate availability. Preventive maintenance contracts through the local partner network ensure sustained machine performance over its operational lifespan. For converters producing margarine containers for export markets, HWAMDA supports the documentation requirements for EU food-contact compliance under Regulation 10/2011 and provides certificates of material traceability for the PP grades used in production. Standard warranty coverage is 12 months from commissioning or 15 months from shipment date.
Servo motor driven IML system for precision label placement
Getting Started: Investment and ROI
A complete HWAMDA margarine container IML production line for Morocco, including the SPV5-400, 4-cavity IML mold, SWITEK IML system, and auxiliaries, represents a total investment of USD 180,000 to 280,000 CIF Casablanca. The low 2.5% import duty rate minimizes landed cost. Production cost per 500-gram IML margarine container runs approximately USD 0.04 to 0.07, including PP at approximately USD 1,300 per metric ton, IML label, energy at USD 0.10 per kWh, labor, and mold amortization. Market selling prices of USD 0.08 to 0.15 per container support gross margins of 40 to 55%. At 85% capacity utilization, a single line generates monthly revenue of approximately USD 65,000 to 115,000. Export revenue from serving West African and Middle Eastern markets can add 20 to 35%. Most Moroccan operators achieve full return on investment within 14 to 20 months. Equipment cost per container averages USD 0.002 to 0.003 amortized over 5 years. HWAMDA supports letters of credit through Moroccan banks and standard T/T terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Morocco's Association Agreement with the EU provides duty-free market access for manufactured goods including food packaging that meets EU origin rules. The PP material and IML labels must comply with EU Regulation 10/2011 for food-contact plastics. HWAMDA provides material traceability documentation and the CE certification trail that supports EU compliance. Several Moroccan packaging companies already export food containers to France, Spain, and other EU markets.
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