The argan oil industry in Morocco has seen its fair share of challenges in recent years. One such casualty is Sidi Yassine, a family-owned company that had been operating since 2003. The decline in fruit production due to drought, coupled with increasing demands from buyers, led CEO Ulysse Müller to make the difficult decision to close the business.
Zoya, a worker at another co-operative near Essaouira, shares the struggles faced by many members. With no social security or reimbursement for health costs, the financial instability makes it difficult to make ends meet. Despite irregular pay and diminishing profit shares, Zoya remains dedicated to keeping the co-operative afloat.
Many co-operatives now rely on tourism to stay afloat. In the Sous Valley, signs welcome visitors to explore the production process and purchase argan products. One such co-operative, Marjana, has mastered the art of catering to tourists, offering demonstrations of nut crushing, sales of argan products, and discussions on the oil’s health benefits.
However, the reality is that much of the argan oil sold internationally is produced in modern facilities, sometimes outside of Morocco. This shift in production means that the added value is often taken abroad, leaving little profit for local co-operatives and workers.
Outside of the co-operative system, women like Aïcha face even greater challenges. Crushed nuts are sold directly to wholesalers at low prices, with issues of trust surrounding the purity of argan oil further limiting their opportunities for income.
The value of argan oil, once a cherished gift and culinary staple, has been overshadowed by market forces that prioritize profits over the well-being of local producers. As the industry continues to evolve, the women who have preserved the knowledge and tradition of argan oil find themselves marginalized and struggling to make a living.
Juliet Ferguson, Julie Chaudier, and Alice Facchini, reporters with Investigate Europe, shed light on the complexities of the argan oil industry in Morocco. Their work, supported by Journalismfund Europe, highlights the challenges faced by local co-operatives and workers in an ever-changing market landscape.
