Moroccan artisans, especially women in the Atlas Mountains, often earn only a fraction of the high prices at which their handmade carpets are sold in Europe. New initiatives such as digital platforms Tayri and Anou are trying to address this inequality by eliminating middlemen and giving makers direct access to the international market. NOS reports.
Photo for illustration: Dreamstime.
Unequal distribution of profits
Traditional Moroccan carpets are often sold for hundreds or even thousands of euros, while weavers like 63-year-old Aicha in the village of M'rirt earn on average only 20 euros per carpet. This is in stark contrast to the high profit margins of middlemen and webshops in Europe. Many of these women have no network or knowledge of international trade, leaving them dependent on local traders.
Direct contact with customers through platforms
The digital platform Tayri, founded by Belgian-Moroccan Fatima Zohra Ait El Maati, enables artisan women to sell directly to customers in Europe. This allows makers to significantly increase their income and retain more control over their products.
Another initiative, the platform Anou, offers similar opportunities for artisans. It allows them to self-present their products online and connect directly with customers worldwide. Director Hamza Cherif D'Ouezzan stresses that artisans are co-owners of the platform, removing their dependence on external parties.
Challenges for the sector
Although the Moroccan government recognises the craft sector as an important pillar of the economy, regulation lags behind. According to figures, the sector employs 2.4 million people, but many artisans do not even earn the minimum wage. Europe also lacks supervision of online shops that claim to support fair trade.
In addition, a lack of financial literacy in local communities means artisans often sell themselves short. However, by accessing the market and setting their own prices, many are already seeing their incomes improve.
A sector in transition
Digital platforms not only contribute to better earnings, but also play a crucial role in future-proofing craft traditions. Still, the challenge remains great: younger generations are showing less and less interest in crafts, seeing the physical strain and limited earnings in their parents.
Source: NOS
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