China imported much more copper ore from Morocco in June, with shipments rising 149% from a year earlier. Chinese companies bought 10,520 tonnes of copper ores and concentrates from Morocco during the month, according to data from China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC).
The figure was also 185.3% higher than in May.
China imported 2.335 million tonnes of copper ores and concentrates in June. Morocco ranked ahead of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Albania and Zambia in this trade category.
Other Moroccan mineral exports also changed during the month.
China imported 2,550 tonnes of zinc ores and concentrates from Morocco. That was 47.4% more than in June 2025, but 60% less than in May.
Aluminium scrap shipments reached 276.5 tonnes, up 85.2% from May and 24.2% from a year earlier.
Chinese customs also recorded 246 tonnes of aluminium alloy imports from Morocco. The figure was 121.2% higher than in May but 50% lower than in June 2025.
Trade between the two countries has also increased this year.
Chinese companies with Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status handled 8.01bn yuan ($1.1bn) in trade with Morocco during the first five months of 2026.
That was 30.2% more than during the same period in 2025.
AEO companies accounted for 22.8% of all trade between China and Morocco during the period. That puts total bilateral trade at about 35.1bn yuan between January and May.
Chinese customs listed 1,388 AEO-certified Chinese companies trading with Moroccan businesses.
China and Morocco signed an agreement on 26 June to recognise each other’s AEO companies.
The agreement gives approved companies simpler customs procedures. They can face fewer checks, receive priority during physical inspections and get faster customs clearance when trade is disrupted.
Qi Ming, deputy director of the GACC’s Department of Enterprise Management and Audit, described the deal as “a decisive step in facilitating trade” between the two countries.
The new system covers both high-level and ordinary certified companies. This means more small and medium-sized businesses can benefit from the customs facilities.
Trade between China and Morocco reached 78.46bn yuan ($11.57bn) in 2025, up 22% from the previous year.
China also introduced zero tariffs for products from Morocco on 1 May.
The measure covers Morocco and 19 other African countries that are not classified as least developed countries. It will remain in place until 30 April 2028.
Chinese customs require products without a specific origin rule to have at least 40% regional value content to qualify.
A new electronic system for certificates of origin has also been introduced for the 20 countries.
The tariff change gives Moroccan exporters easier access to the Chinese market, although they still have to meet the origin requirements.
Trade in minerals is growing at the same time as Chinese companies invest in Morocco’s electric-vehicle and battery industries.
Gotion High-Tech is building an EV battery factory in Kenitra.
The project is worth $5.6bn, with an initial investment of $1.3bn. The first phase is expected to produce 20 GWh of batteries a year from late 2026.
Full production is planned to reach 100 GWh across five phases.
The project is expected to create more than 2,300 direct jobs at first and about 10,000 when fully operational.
Hailiang Group is also building a copper processing plant in Tangier. The facility will produce copper parts and foils used in batteries and wiring.
BTR New Material Group has committed $300m to a plant at Tangier Tech City. It will produce synthetic graphite and cathode materials, with planned annual production of 50,000 tonnes.
At Jorf Lasfar, COBCO, a joint venture between China’s CNGR Advanced Material and Al Mada, is developing a $2bn battery materials plant.
The facility is expected to have annual production capacity equal to 70 GWh of battery materials. That would be enough for about one million electric vehicles.
Shinzoom is also developing an anode production facility near Tangier.
Chinese exports to Morocco were worth $9.88bn in 2025. They mainly included electrical equipment, electronics, solar products and car parts.
Moroccan exports to China were worth about $1.08bn. They included copper concentrates, zinc ores, cobalt, phosphates and agricultural products.
China and Morocco are also discussing a possible free-trade agreement.
Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour said in June that Beijing had formally proposed starting negotiations on such an agreement.
The growth in trade comes as Moroccan ports handle more cargo. Total maritime cargo traffic increased by 14.4% during the first half of 2026.
Tanger Med and Jorf Lasfar both recorded higher volumes of minerals and industrial materials linked to Chinese projects.
