Morocco: The Copag group invests 197 MDH in two new industrial units which should generate 500 direct jobs

The Copag Group, the largest integrated cooperative in the Kingdom and one of the leaders in the Moroccan market for dairy products and fruit juices, whose head office is in Taroudant, has just inaugurated the realization of two investment projects. With a total amount of nearly 197 MDH, these projects, supported by the Industrial Development Fund (FDI), are part of the implementation of the agreement relating to the regional application of the development strategy for food industries in the Souss-Massa region.

These projects, at the origin of the creation of 380 direct jobs and more than 2,200 indirect jobs, concern the new industrial unit for the manufacture of processed cheeses and the new citrus crushing unit for the production of juice. Responding to the growing demand of the cheese and juice market, the Copag Group aims not only to meet the need on the local market and for export, but also to contribute to the development and transformation of local agricultural production.

“These projects are an eloquent example of the dynamics experienced by the dairy and citrus processing industries in Morocco in terms of investment and job creation and the enthusiasm that “Made in Morocco” arouses among our food industry. In tune with the sector’s development priorities, these investments are likely to strengthen integration between upstream agriculture and downstream processing, as well as value chains.

This further contributes to food security and the industrial sovereignty of our country, in accordance with the High Royal Guidelines,” says Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade, who adds:

“The wealth of investment opportunities in agribusiness portends a most promising future for the sector. We will continue to support and accompany operators and their investments aimed at promoting even more competitive, diversified and high-value local production, able to meet the needs and requirements of the Moroccan consumer and to establish themselves on the market. export”.

As part of this vision, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Copag for the implementation of a new industrial project for the recovery and processing of white meats. This project, the total amount of which amounts to approximately 108 million dirhams, will allow the creation of more than 200 direct jobs and 300 indirect jobs. It will contribute to the promotion of local meat through the development and manufacture of high value-added products as well as import substitution.

With a workforce of 9,500 people, Copag, created in 1987, achieved a turnover of approximately 6 billion dirhams in 2021. Copag is positioned in the dairy industry; packaging and processing of citrus fruits; the meat industry and the manufacture of animal feed.