The National Federation of the Agri-Food Industry (FENAGRI) announced in Rabat on Wednesday, September 2, that Morocco will host its first International Agro-Industrial Ecosystem Trade Fair in 2027, following a partnership between the federation and Messe Düsseldorf.
The event aims to bring together leading national and international players in the agro-industrial sector to promote innovation, investment and strategic partnerships.
Speaking at the launch, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Omar Hejira highlighted the strategic importance of the agro-industrial sector to Morocco’s economy.
The sector accounts for 22% of the country’s industrial output and value added, 11% of industrial investment and nearly 20% of industrial employment, Hejira said. It employs more than 206,000 people, including over 50,000 jobs directly linked to exports.
He also noted that agro-industry is Morocco’s third-largest export sector after the automotive and phosphate industries.
Hejira also outlined the targets of the 2030 program contract signed with FENAGRI, which include a 16% increase in export turnover, the emergence of 70 new exporters and the diversification of markets towards North America and several African countries.
He highlighted the potential of Asian markets, particularly Indonesia, referring to the mutual Halal recognition agreement signed by Morocco and Indonesia in May 2024. He said Morocco had the geographical position, infrastructure and expertise, as well as a recognized Halal industry with more than 120 certified companies, to become a leading regional agro-industrial hub.
FENAGRI President Abdelmounim El Eulj said the new fair aims to become a leading international event, bringing together players across the agro-industrial value chain and encouraging trade, investment and innovation.
He said the partnership with Messe Düsseldorf, an internationally recognized organizer of major professional trade fairs, was an important step towards establishing the event to international standards from its first edition.
For his part, General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) President Mehdi Tazi said the event aims to make Morocco’s agri-food sector more visible, competitive, sustainable and internationally connected.
He described the sector as strategic for sovereignty, industrial transformation and value creation, calling for greater investment, stronger value creation by the private sector and a more differentiated national offering to strengthen Morocco’s integration into the global agri-food ecosystem.
Tazi also stressed the role of technological transformation in improving the sector’s competitiveness.
Morocco Foodex Director General Ghita El Ghorfi described the project as a step towards Morocco’s ambition to become a leading international agri-food hub. She said the country’s agricultural sector, which is already expanding its reach, should now strengthen its position within the global agri-food ecosystem.
She also called for stronger Moroccan exports and a better position for the country in international sector rankings.
Bernd Jablonowski, executive director of Messe Düsseldorf’s operational division, said Morocco was selected following extensive market research across Africa.
He said the group, a European leader that organizes more than 25 major international trade fairs, had concluded that the Moroccan market was ready to host this type of event.
Jablonowski welcomed the partnership with FENAGRI and Morocco Foodex and expressed hope that further international trade fairs could eventually be developed in Morocco.
The event also saw FENAGRI, represented by El Eulj, and Messe Düsseldorf, represented by Jablonowski, sign the partnership agreement formally launching the new trade fair.
