Morocco Bitumen Import Demand
Last updated: 2026-10-05
Morocco Bitumen Import Demand: Direct Answer
Morocco's bitumen import demand reached approximately 1.15 million metric tons in 2024, up 6.8% year-on-year, driven by a national road infrastructure program targeting 1,800 km of new expressways by 2030. The country imports roughly 95% of its bitumen needs — primarily from Spain, France, Italy, and Saudi Arabia — at an average CIF price of $480–$520 per metric ton in 2024. With domestic refining capacity limited to a single Samir refinery (currently offline), Morocco remains one of North Africa's most import-dependent bitumen markets.
Why Morocco's Bitumen Import Demand Keeps Rising
Morocco has no operational commercial bitumen production. The Mohammedia refinery (Samir) has been idle since 2015, and no new refining capacity is planned before 2027. That means every ton of penetration-grade bitumen used on Moroccan roads — from 60/70 and 40/50 to PG 64-22 — crosses the border by ship or truck.
Three demand drivers dominate:
- National road program: The Ministry of Equipment and Water targets 1,800 km of expressways and 5,000 km of rural roads by 2030.
- Urban expansion: Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, and Marrakech are adding ring roads and tram/bus corridors requiring polymer-modified bitumen (PMB).
- Maintenance backlog: Over 40% of the national road network is more than 15 years old and requires resurfacing.
| Demand Driver | Estimated Annual Bitumen Volume | Share of Total |
|---|---|---|
| New expressways & highways | 310,000 t | 27% |
| Rural road program | 240,000 t | 21% |
| Urban & municipal roads | 355,000 t | 31% |
| Maintenance & resurfacing | 245,000 t | 21% |
| Total | 1,150,000 t | 100% |
Morocco Bitumen Import Volume & Value (2020–2025)
Import volumes have grown steadily, with a temporary dip in 2020 due to COVID-19 construction shutdowns. Prices peaked in 2022 during the European energy crisis and have since stabilized.
| Year | Import Volume (metric tons) | YoY Change | Avg CIF Price ($/t) | Total Import Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 780,000 | −9.2% | $340 | $265 M |
| 2021 | 910,000 | +16.7% | $410 | $373 M |
| 2022 | 1,020,000 | +12.1% | $615 | $627 M |
| 2023 | 1,077,000 | +5.6% | $545 | $587 M |
| 2024 | 1,150,000 | +6.8% | $505 | $581 M |
| 2025 (forecast) | 1,230,000 | +7.0% | $490 | $603 M |
Key takeaway: Volume growth is consistent at 5–7% per year, while prices are trending down toward pre-2022 levels as European refinery supply normalizes.
Where Morocco Imports Bitumen From: Country Comparison
Morocco's proximity to Southern Europe gives Spanish and French suppliers a freight advantage of 2–4 days versus Middle East exporters. However, Saudi and Emirati suppliers compete aggressively on price for large bulk cargoes into the ports of Casablanca, Tangier Med, Agadir, and Nador.
| Source Country | 2024 Volume (t) | Market Share | Typical Grade | Transit Time to Casablanca |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 365,000 | 31.7% | 50/70, 70/100 | 2–3 days |
| France | 210,000 | 18.3% | 35/50, PMB | 3–4 days |
| Italy | 175,000 | 15.2% | 60/70, 40/50 | 4–5 days |
| Saudi Arabia | 160,000 | 13.9% | 60/70 bulk | 12–16 days |
| UAE | 95,000 | 8.3% | 60/70, 80/100 | 14–18 days |
| Others (Greece, Turkey, Egypt) | 145,000 | 12.6% | Various | 3–10 days |
| Total | 1,150,000 | 100% | — | — |
- Spain (Barcelona → Casablanca): $460–$490/t CIF
- France (Marseille → Casablanca): $470–$500/t CIF
- Italy (Augusta → Casablanca): $475–$510/t CIF
- Saudi Arabia (Jubail → Casablanca): $445–$480/t CIF (lower FOB, higher freight)
- UAE (Jebel Ali → Casablanca): $455–$495/t CIF
Bottom line: Saudi and Emirati barrels are often $10–$25/t cheaper on a delivered basis for full-cargo buyers, but European suppliers win on smaller orders due to shorter lead times and lower minimum quantities (often 500–1,000 t vs. 5,000–10,000 t for bulk Middle East cargoes).
Port Infrastructure & Import Logistics in Morocco
Morocco has invested heavily in port capacity, and bitumen importers now have four realistic entry points.
| Port | Bitumen Discharge Capacity | Storage Tanks | Rail/Road Link | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casablanca | 600,000 t/year | 12 tanks, 45,000 m³ | Excellent | Central & coastal projects |
| Tangier Med | 450,000 t/year | 8 tanks, 30,000 m³ | Excellent (TGV, A1/A4) | Northern & export-adjacent zones |
| Agadir | 200,000 t/year | 4 tanks, 12,000 m³ | Good (N1, N10) | Southern & Souss-Massa projects |
| Nador West Med | 150,000 t/year | 3 tanks, 9,000 m³ | Developing | Oriental region & Algeria-adjacent |
Logistics notes:
- Discharge time: 24–48 hours for a 10,000 t bulk carrier at Casablanca; 36–60 hours at Nador.
- Customs clearance: 2–4 working days with complete documentation; up to 7 days if grade certificates are missing.
- Inland transport: trucking costs from Casablanca to Marrakech run $35–$45/t; to Agadir $45–$55/t.
- Storage bottleneck: Total Moroccan bitumen storage is only ~96,000 m³, equal to about 30 days of national consumption — tight during peak paving season (April–October).
Pricing Trends & What Drives Them
Morocco bitumen import prices track three inputs: Brent crude, European high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) spreads, and freight rates.
| Factor | Impact on Delivered Price | 2024–2025 Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Brent crude | ±$3–$5/t per $10/bbl move | Stable $75–$85/bbl |
| HSFO 3.5% Rotterdam | Primary feedstock proxy | Softening |
| Mediterranean freight rates | ±$15–$25/t | Normalized post-2022 |
| EUR/MAD exchange | ±2–4% on European cargoes | MAD stable |
| Moroccan import duties | 0% on bitumen (raw material exemption) | No change |
| VAT | 20% recoverable for registered importers | No change |
2025 outlook: Delivered prices are expected to average $485–$500/t CIF Casablanca, with potential dips to $460/t in Q3 if European refinery runs stay high and Brent holds below $80.
FAQ: Morocco Bitumen Import Demand
1. How much bitumen does Morocco import annually?
Morocco imports approximately 1.15 million metric tons of bitumen per year as of 2024, and this is projected to reach 1.23 million tons in 2025. About 95% of national consumption is met through imports because the Samir refinery remains offline.
2. Which countries supply most of Morocco's bitumen?
Spain leads with 31.7% market share (365,000 t in 2024), followed by France (18.3%), Italy (15.2%), Saudi Arabia (13.9%), and the UAE (8.3%). European suppliers dominate due to 2–5 day transit times and smaller minimum order quantities.
3. What is the average price of imported bitumen in Morocco?
The average CIF price at Casablanca was $505 per metric ton in 2024, down from $615 in 2022. For 2025, buyers should expect $485–$500/t for 60/70 penetration grade, depending on cargo size and origin.
4. What bitumen grades does Morocco import most?
60/70 and 50/70 penetration grades account for roughly 65% of imports, used for base and binder courses. Polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) represents about 15%, growing at 12% annually for urban and high-traffic roads.
5. How long does it take to import bitumen into Morocco?
From Spain, total lead time is 5–8 days (order to discharge); from Saudi Arabia, 18–25 days including ocean freight and customs. Customs clearance at Casablanca takes 2–4 working days with complete documentation, including grade certificates and MSDS.
Calculate Your Morocco Bitumen Import Cost Instantly
Pricing Moroccan bitumen imports involves dozens of variables — FOB, freight, insurance, customs, inland trucking, and storage. Instead of building spreadsheets, use the 6Tar cost calculator to model your exact delivered cost per ton to Casablanca, Tangier Med, Agadir, or Nador. Enter your grade, volume, origin port, and destination, and get a real-time CIF + landed cost breakdown in seconds — then compare Saudi, Spanish, and Italian supply options side by side before you commit to a cargo.