MOROCCO – Marrakech Fine Food (MFF), a Moroccan agrifood manufacturer, has inaugurated a US$7 million biscuit and chocolate processing factory.
The investment follows the signing of an investment agreement between the food processor and the government of Morocco in 2021, focused on industrial development and job creation in the Maghreb kingdom.
Opening of the new factory is set to create 80 direct jobs and boost local production of top-of-the-range confectionery.
Speaking at the inauguration, The Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour said, “The pace of investment in the food industry is accelerating and opening up to new segments with high added value.
“This further strengthens the production capacity, the diversification of products with strong local integration and the competitiveness of the sector earning it worldwide fame.
“This new investment will contribute to strengthening the industrial sovereignty of our country and to the development of the national exportable offer in the sector.”
The Imperium Holding group, created in 1979, targets, through its subsidiary MFF, production of new products, particularly in the high-end biscuit and chocolate sectors, as part of its development strategy aimed at meeting market needs and to diversify its range of top-of-the-range products intended mainly for export.
Recognized for being one of the world leaders in the market for high-end teas and infusions through its company SITI, the group has succeeded in building an ecosystem around its activities, through several subsidiaries that cover the entire value chain linked to tea and its derivatives, from the raw material to the finished product, including packaging to offer customized products corresponding to the demand of customers on a national and international scale.
Opening of MFF’s new facility follows the commencement of construction works of a new baked goods production facility by Best Biscuits Maroc.
The investment tagged at US$35m will be deployed in three phases and set to be completed by 2024.
At the end of this deadline, the unit, which currently covers 1.1 hectares, will enable Best Biscuits to double down on offering a more diversified supply of biscuit products that can meet domestic market demand and replace imports.
Best Biscuits Maroc employs nearly 1,500 people and markets its products (biscuits, wafers and sponge cakes) mainly under the Excelo brand. Completion of the project is expected to generate 700 new jobs.
In Morocco, the food industry is one of the pillars of the economy. In this branch, several segments such as confectionery, chocolate and biscuits have benefited from significant investments from both the private and public sector.
Recently, Edita Food Industries, a leader in the Egyptian packaged snack food market, inaugurated its first overseas production facility in Morocco.
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