As Morocco marked the International Day of the Argan Tree on May 10, concerns over the sustainability of this iconic species are growing due to persistent drought, overgrazing, and urban expansion.
Once a thriving sector, the argan industry reached a turnover of 1.139 billion dirhams ($114 million) in 2019, with production totaling 5,640 tons that year, according to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture. However, these numbers are increasingly difficult to maintain as climate change and land pressure take their toll.
Morocco celebrated the first-ever International Argan Tree Day in May 2021, recognizing the tree as an intangible cultural heritage and a driver of development in its native biosphere. The argan industry supports approximately 25,000 jobs, primarily in rural areas.
Yet, the sector now faces mounting challenges. Local producers cite diminishing yields, raw material scarcity, and monopolistic practices as key threats to both the local market and global competitiveness.
Producers Raise Alarm
Abdelhaq Atiq, manager of a cooperative specialized in producing and marketing argan oil and its derivatives, voiced concerns about the impact of drought and climate change. “This golden resource is facing a noticeable decline in production due to both environmental and human pressures,” Atiq said in an interview with local outlet Hespress.
He warned that production chains are being severely impacted, despite institutional efforts aimed at preservation. “Raw argan is becoming scarce, and intermediaries dominate the market,” he said, noting that a liter of culinary-grade argan oil now costs at least 600 dirhams ($60), while cosmetic-grade oil can reach up to 800 dirhams ($80).
“These issues burden cooperatives, many of which employ rural women, and reduce their capacity to compete, especially when major companies control most exports,” he added.
To address the crisis, Atiq called on authorities to consider expanding argan cultivation beyond its traditional zones, such as the Souss-Massa region, suggesting studies on growing conditions in other parts of the country.
Limited Range, Rising Pressures
Omar Saidi, a cooperative member from the Asni region, said recent rainfall may provide temporary relief, but long-term threats remain. “The last few years of drought, coupled with unregulated grazing practices, have significantly reduced raw material supplies,” he said.
“The surge in cosmetic use has pushed argan oil prices to 600 dirhams per liter, straining both producers and consumers,” Saidi added.
He proposed that technical studies be conducted to assess the viability of cultivating argan trees in new areas, which could safeguard production against increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.
Saidi also highlighted how declining yields are intensifying competition among cooperatives. “Only large cooperatives that meet the National Food Safety Office’s standards are able to export, which creates inequality in the sector,” he said.
Despite global recognition of the argan tree’s cultural and economic importance, Moroccan producers warn that without decisive action, the future of this emblematic species — and the livelihoods it supports — remains uncertain.
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