DR ‹ › Morocco is among the nations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region that have witnessed a surge in exports to the European Union (EU), as the bloc distances itself from Russia due to sanctions imposed since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. A recent Forbes Middle East article highlights how this shift has triggered an unprecedented commercial realignment. By 2025, Morocco emerged as the EU's top supplier of fertilizers, capturing 19% of the bloc's imports, overtaking Russia, whose share dwindled to 12.8%. In 2024, the EU's total imports from Morocco hit 29.8 billion dollars (25.3 billion euros), with transportation equipment (28%), machinery and electrical appliances (24.6%), plant products (11.8%), and textiles (11.6%) making up the bulk of these imports. Eurostat data reveals that Morocco also became Europe's leading vegetable supplier in 2024, exporting over one million tonnes and generating 2 billion dollars (1.7 billion euros), marking a 7% increase from 2023. As the EU reduces its dependency on Russian fertilizers, agricultural inputs, and industrial intermediate goods, other MENA exporters like Egypt have also seized this new market opportunity. Beyond agriculture, the energy sector has experienced significant growth. MENA region exporters with crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacities have capitalized on this by channeling supplies to European buyers and embedding themselves in supply chains. Gulf crude oil exporters, particularly Saudi Arabia and Iraq, have stepped in to fill the void left by Russia. Although Algeria's overall deliveries remain limited, the country has managed to bolster its influence, while Qatar has expanded its market presence, according to Forbes. In addition to MENA players, countries like Norway and the United States have also made notable inroads. «These transformations are unfolding as Russian oil redirects towards Asia, allowing Gulf producers to enhance their footprint in the European crude market. Meanwhile, North African gas exporters have solidified their positions in long-term negotiations with Southern Europe.»
