In Morocco, olive oil is part of every breakfast, every salad and every tagine. The country is one of North Africa's major producers, but harvests vary widely: several years of drought have recently cut production sharply.
Morocco in figures
| Production 2024/25 | around 90,000 tonnes (IOC, preliminary estimate) |
| Share of world production | around 2.5% |
| Main variety | Picholine marocaine, plus Arbequina |
| Designations of origin | Tyout Chiadma (national) |
| Virgin olive oil exports 2023 | 7,301 tonnes worth USD 48 million (drought year) |
The main growing areas
- Fès-Meknès: the traditional olive centre at the foot of the Atlas, known for intense, green-fruity oils.
- Marrakech-Safi: large growing areas around Marrakech and towards the Atlantic, including the Essaouira region.
- Oriental and Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma: further important growing areas in the northeast and north.
Picholine marocaine is a hardy variety used for both oil and table olives and copes well with the dry climate.
The Tyout Chiadma designation of origin
Tyout Chiadma olive oil from the Essaouira region was Morocco's first protected designation of origin (AOP). It was created as part of the government's strategy of labelling products by origin and quality and protects an oil made from Picholine marocaine. Moroccan olive oils are not listed in the EU register.
Competitions and awards
- Concours national des huiles d'olive vierges extra: the national competition is held each year at the SIAM agricultural fair in Meknès. The 16th edition took place in 2026; oils from Fès-Meknès took the top three places in the intense green-fruity category, while oils from Marrakech-Safi dominated the medium and light fruitiness categories.
Where Morocco exports its olive oil
According to UN trade statistics (World Bank WITS, tariff code 150910), Morocco exported virgin olive oils worth USD 48 million in 2023, a drought year:
| Destination | Value (USD million) | Volume (tonnes) | Share of export value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 22.0 | 4,458 | 46% |
| United States | 12.2 | 1,250 | 26% |
| Italy | 4.8 | 656 | 10% |
| Canada | 3.1 | 376 | 6% |
| Malaysia | 1.6 | 71 | 3% |
The main markets are Spain and the USA. In years with a good harvest, export volumes are considerably higher.
Three Moroccan recipes with olive oil
Zaalouk (aubergine and tomato salad)
Serves 4: 2 aubergines, 4 ripe tomatoes, 3 garlic cloves, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cumin, coriander and parsley, 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt.
- Roast the aubergines in the oven until soft and scoop out the flesh.
- Cook peeled, chopped tomatoes with garlic, spices and 3 tbsp olive oil until thick, add the aubergine and mash.
- Season with herbs, lemon juice and the remaining oil. Serve warm or cold with bread.
Taktouka (pepper and tomato salad)
Serves 4: 4 green peppers, 4 tomatoes, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cumin, parsley, 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, salt.
- Roast, peel and slice the peppers into strips.
- Cook the tomatoes with garlic, spices and olive oil for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the peppers and parsley and leave to infuse briefly.
Chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives
Serves 4: 1 chicken in pieces, 2 onions, 3 garlic cloves, 1 tsp ginger, 1 tsp turmeric, a pinch of saffron, coriander, 1 preserved lemon, 150 g green olives, 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper.
- Marinate the chicken with spices, garlic, herbs and 3 tbsp olive oil.
- Soften the onions in the remaining oil, add the chicken and a little water and braise covered for 45 minutes.
- Add strips of preserved lemon peel and the olives and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How much olive oil does Morocco produce?
According to a preliminary International Olive Council estimate, around 90,000 tonnes in the 2024/25 season, well below average because of drought.
Which olive variety is typical of Morocco?
Picholine marocaine, which makes up by far the largest share of the olive groves.
Are there protected olive oils from Morocco?
Yes, Tyout Chiadma from the Essaouira region was the country's first protected designation of origin.
Where is Morocco's olive oil competition held?
At the SIAM international agricultural fair in Meknès; the 16th edition took place in 2026.
Sources
- Olive Oil Times: Moroccan Producers Face Third Straight Year of Declining Production (IOC estimate 2024/25)
- ITSAD: Huile d'olive au Maroc – qualité, production et export
- CIHEAM: Huile d'olive Tyout Chiadma, la première Appellation d'Origine Protégée au Maroc
- Médias24: SIAM – 12 olive oils awarded at the 16th national competition (28 Apr 2026)
- World Bank WITS / UN Comtrade: Morocco exports of virgin olive oil (HS 150910), 2023
