Moroccan Tires: Exports to Europe Surge

Surge in Moroccan Tire Imports on European Market

Imports of automotive tires manufactured in Morocco have experienced a remarkable surge in the European market. Between January and August 2026, member countries of the European Union imported 243,383 new passenger car tires from Morocco, compared to just 8,964 units during the same period in 2025, marking a staggering increase of more than 27 times.

These figures, sourced from Eurostat’s foreign trade statistics, confirm the growing strength of Moroccan production in the tire sector, notably driven by the operational launch of the Qingdao Sentury Tire factory located in the Tanger Tech industrial zone.

The Netherlands Accounts for Over 80% of Imports

The increase in Moroccan exports to the European Union is particularly pronounced in the Netherlands. The Dutch market absorbed 197,099 tires between January and August 2026, valued at €5.27 million, or approximately 56.49 million dirhams.

Alone, the Netherlands accounted for 80.98% of the volume and 81.2% of the value of European purchases of Moroccan tires. This market was not featured in the statistics for the corresponding period in 2025.

Other EU member states imported a total of 46,284 tires, with a total value of €1.22 million, equivalent to about 13.08 million dirhams.

For the customs classification 40111000, which pertains to new tires intended for passenger cars, the total value of European imports from Morocco reached €6.49 million, nearly 69.57 million dirhams. A year earlier, this value was only €352,453, approximately 3.78 million dirhams, resulting in a staggering 18.4-fold increase.

Average Prices for Moroccan Tires Decline

Despite the significant increase in exported volumes, the average declared import value decreased by 32.2%. It fell from €39.32 per tire between January and August 2025 to €26.67 during the same period in 2026, roughly 285.9 dirhams.

In the Netherlands, this average value stood at €26.74, nearly 286.65 dirhams per unit. These amounts reflect the values recorded at the European border by Eurostat, including transport and insurance costs.

Sentury Factory in Tanger Tech Accelerates Production

This export growth follows the commencement of production at the Moroccan facility of the Chinese manufacturer Qingdao Sentury Tire, located within the Tanger Tech industrial zone.

In its semi-annual report submitted on August 25, 2026, to Chinese stock market authorities, the group indicated that its Moroccan site is projected to have an annual capacity of 12 million high-performance tires destined for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

The project represents an investment of about 3.44 billion yuan—or nearly 4.75 billion dirhams. At its initial presentation, the company also mentioned an amount close to $470 million.

After the completion of its facilities, the site continued to ramp up production during the first half of 2026. The group also reported a return to profitability during this period, following losses felt during the initial phase of operations in 2025. The declared profit reached around 12.12 million yuan, approximately 16.73 million dirhams, according to the report regarding the use of raised funds.

Inter-Sprint: A Commercial Outlet in the Netherlands

Moroccan tires’ presence in the Dutch market is also linked to the business relationships established by Sentury with European distributors.

In a presentation of Sentury Tire Morocco released on June 28, 2025, the China Chamber of Commerce to the European Union mentioned Inter-Sprint among the clients of the Moroccan factory, alongside several international distributors, including Discount Tire, TBC, Mavis, Turbo Tire, D&K, and AOT.

Based in Moerdijk, in the southwestern Netherlands, Inter-Sprint Banden B.V. also serves as a commercial contact at the European site of the Sentury Tyres brand.

Additionally, a list of manufacturers published on March 2, 2026, by the Dutch National Road Traffic Service (RDW) cites Sentury Tire Morocco under the number 10023953, with a manufacturer code of GIR and an active status in production compliance. The Moroccan entity is distinctly listed apart from Sentury Tire Thailand.

European Anti-Dumping Duties in Context

However, the concentration of imports in the Netherlands should be interpreted with regard to the organization of European trade. Eurostat refers to the "Rotterdam Effect," which describes the registration of goods cleared in the Netherlands as imports before they are transported to other member states through the single market.

This trend also emerges in a context of strengthened European trade measures targeting tires of Chinese origin.

On July 7, 2026, the European Commission instituted definitive anti-dumping duties ranging from 4.3% to 45.3%, depending on the manufacturer, on new tires for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles originating from China. Brussels recalled that European imports of these products from China reached nearly 93 million units in 2024, accounting for roughly 28% of the European market.

A concurrent anti-subsidy procedure is expected to reach a definitive decision by December 2026.

These measures pertain to products based on their customs origin according to European regulations, which focus on the location of the last substantial transformation of the product. In this context, the tires manufactured at the Tanger facility can acquire Moroccan origin if they meet it according to European rules.

The sharp increase in European imports of Moroccan tires vividly illustrates the upward trajectory of Tanger Tech in an industry where production capacity, market avenues, and customs origin rules are now playing a crucial role.

Source: Barlamane.com