Rabat – After a challenging year for Morocco’s olive industry, producers are now predicting a record-breaking harvest that could more than double last season’s output, offering much-needed relief to consumers grappling with high olive oil prices.
According to the Moroccan Olive Production Federation, the country is set to produce over 200,000 tons of olive oil and approximately 2 million tons of olives this season, a stark increase from just 950,000 tons last year.
“This is a significant difference between the two seasons,” said federation president Rachid Benali, speaking to SNRTnews. He attributed the improved harvest to favorable weather conditions that helped offset some of the recent rainfall damage in certain regions.
Prices Expected to Drop by 50%
The surge in supply is expected to drive prices down substantially. After olive oil prices surged to nearly MAD 100 ($10) per liter in 2024 due to an unprecedented production crisis, Benali forecasts that prices will fall to between MAD 50 and MAD 55 ($5–$5.50) per liter this year, thanks to the strong harvest.
A Strategic Crop
Olives continue to be a key pillar of Moroccan agriculture, covering 1.2 million hectares, or about 65% of the country’s fruit tree area.
Benali highlighted that favorable climatic conditions allowed many trees to bear fruit after years of dormancy, further boosting national production. He also noted that despite irrigation restrictions in some areas, olive trees showed resilience and adaptability.
Government Optimism
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch recently confirmed the positive outlook, declaring that Morocco is on track for a record olive harvest. He noted that the bumper crop would not only help lower domestic olive oil prices but also create new export opportunities.
This anticipated recovery represents a turning point for an industry that faced significant challenges last year due to drought, reinforcing the sector’s importance both as a domestic staple and as a key driver of Morocco’s agricultural exports.