ECONOMY
Morocco is primarily an agricultural
country, although only 20 percent of the land is
cultivated. In 1999 gross domestic product (GDP)
was estimated at $35 billion, or $1,240 per
person. The government's budget in 1997 included
revenues of $9.4 billion and expenditures of $11
billion
A. Agriculture
The principal crops of Morocco are
cereals, particularly wheat and barley (2.1
million metric tons in 2000); root crops such as
potatoes and sugar beets (1.1 million); vegetables
including tomatoes and melons (3.6 million);
fruits, particularly grapes and dates (2.5
million); and sugarcane (1.3 million). A wide
variety of other fruits and vegetables are also
grown. Livestock in 2000 included 16.3 million
sheep, 5.7 million goats, and 2.7 million head of
cattle.
B. Forestry and Fishing
Cork is a major forest product of
Morocco. Much timber is cut for use as fuel; the
total timber harvest in 1999 was 1.7 million cubic
meters (61.7 million cubic feet). The chief
fishing centers are Agadir, Safi, Essaouira, and
Casablanca. The total catch in 1997 was 785,843
metric tons, including pilchard, tuna, mackerel,
anchovies, and
shellfish.
C. Mining
Morocco is a leading producer of
phosphate rock; output was 24 million metric tons
in 1999. Other minerals produced were coal
(290,299 metric tons), iron ore (7,680 metric
tons), silver (300 metric tons), and zinc (115,000
metric tons).
D. Manufacturing
Morocco's
manufacturing sector is made up mostly of
small-scale enterprises. Construction materials,
chemicals, textiles, footwear, processed food,
wine, refined petroleum, and many other kinds of
goods are produced in Morocco. Artisans produce
fabrics, leather goods, ceramics, rugs and
carpets, and woodwork of high quality. Annual
production in the early 1990s included about 1.2
million sq m (about 1.4 million sq yd) of rugs and
carpets, 5.8 million metric tons of cement, and
1.1 million tons of phosphoric
acid.
E. Energy
Some 84 percent of Morocco's
electricity production in 1998 was generated in
thermal plants, and the remainder was produced in
hydroelectric facilities. Morocco's output of
electricity in 1999 was 13.7 billion
kilowatt-hours.
F. Currency and Banking
Morocco's unit of currency is the
dirham, consisting of 100 centimes
(9.80 dirhams equal U.S.$1; 1999 average). It is
issued by the Banque al-Maghrib (1959), the state
bank. The country also has several large private
banks.
G. Foreign Trade
Morocco's leading exports are
phosphates and phosphoric acid. Other exports
include citrus fruit, wheat, fish, and minerals.
Exports in 1999 earned $7.4 billion. Imports were
valued at $10.8 billion. Imports typically consist
of industrial equipment, food products,
manufactured goods, and fuels. The principal
purchasers of Morocco's exports are France, Spain,
Japan, India, Italy, the United States, and Libya;
chief sources of imports are France, Spain, the
United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil.
Morocco gains much foreign exchange from
remittances by Moroccans working abroad and from
the expenditures of the large number of tourists
who visit the country each
year.
H. Transportation
Morocco has extensive port
facilities, concentrated principally at
Casablanca.Other ports include
Agadir, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Safi, and Tangier.
The country has 1,907 km (1,185 mi) of railroad
track and 57,646 km (36,786 mi) of roads, 56
percent of which are hard-surfaced. Domestic and
international air service is provided by Royal Air
Maroc; several major foreign airlines also serve
Morocco. |
