Morocco olive oil

Morocco is the world's fifth largest producer and exporter of olive oil.The Moroccan olive oil sector has good potential for growth. Local olive varieties like Picholine produce oils that are high in polyphenols and fruitiness. The region of Fès-Meknès has rich traditions, a unique climate, and diverse soils. As olive harvests in Spain, Italy, and Greece decline due to climate change, European importers are turning to Morocco for reliable supplies. 

The sector is developing. There are opportunities to reduce quality losses along the value chain, get more qualified harvest workers, and build stronger links with the European specialty market.

The CBI project AnMOON (Morocco Olive Oil and Youth), works with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Fès-Meknès region. The name AnMOON combines MOON, which is an acronym for Morocco Olive Oil for the Next generation, with AnMOON, which means “let’s go together” in Amazigh. This name combines a focus on youth with collaboration. During the project, SMEs work to improve quality, become more sustainable, and connect to European buyers. Youth are at the centre of this project as workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the sector. 

Become a partner

We are looking for:

• Dutch and European importers of speciality extra virgin olive oil who are interested in sourcing from Morocco, especially from the Fès-Meknès region
• Knowledge institutions or companies with expertise in water-efficient agriculture, soil management, sustainable tree crop management or sustainable olive oil production, areas where Dutch expertise is particularly relevant.
• Organisations that can help young people set up and grow new businesses in the Moroccan agri-food sector.

We aim to connect with partners who value sustainable sourcing and who invest in long‑term, trust‑based relationships with Moroccan producers. 

Project purpose

Many youths in Morocco do not have work, especially in urban areas where unemployment rates can be close to 40%. In the olive oil sector, there is a different challenge: many farmers cannot find enough workers during the harvest season, particularly young people. As the sector develops and connects to new markets such as the Netherlands and the wider European Union (EU), it offers opportunities to create more stable and decent jobs for youth.

The European market for high-quality, single-origin extra virgin olive oil is growing. Moroccan olive oil can compete on this market. Currently, most Moroccan olive oil is exported in bulk, mostly to Spain and Italy. Only a small amount is bottled and sold as speciality olive oil. Not many in Northern and Western Europe know they can source olive oil from Morocco.

Climate change is also a growing challenge. Morocco has heat and water problems. Strengthening the sector requires innovation and new techniques. Dutch expertise in water management and sustainable agriculture can support these efforts.

In the AnMOON project, CBI collaborates with SMEs for a sustainable and inclusive olive oil sector. This is done by following 3 pathways:  

1. Service delivery: Supporting young entrepreneurs and service providers to develop new services for the sector by working with them to set up and grow new businesses;
2. A future-proof value chain: SMEs improve their quality, take up sustainable practices, and connect to European buyers;  
3. Youth employment and education: Working with educational institutions, regional employment agencies, and sector partners to better prepare young people for decent work in the sector.

A Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) represents the youth. The YAC is consists of a group of young Moroccans passionate about the sector who advise on the project and help shape its direction.

Partners

We work with 8 partner SMEs in the Fès-Meknès region. These are a mix of frontrunners and second movers, selected for their potential to improve quality, employ youth, and become more sustainable.

We also have a wide network of partners, including:

• Cluster Agrinova;
• Local businesses that can support new companies.
• L'Office de la formation professionnelle et de la promotion du travail (OFPPT);
• National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Competencies (ANAPEC);
• National School of Agriculture of Meknes (ENA) and its Agropole Olivier center;
• Regional career centres.

These organisations play central roles in changing the sector.  

We are specifically interested in connecting with Dutch and European importers. We also look for knowledge partners who have expertise in sustainable olive oil production or water management. If you are interested in sourcing Moroccan olive oil or collaborating on sustainable practices, contact us. 

What does a partnership with CBI look like?  

CBI does not provide funding. We connect and facilitate.

If you are an importer, we can connect you to experienced SMEs in the Fès-Meknès region who want to improve their quality and sustainability practices. Morocco's olive oil sector is becoming more known in Europe. So now is a good moment to build relationships with local producers.

If you are a knowledge partner, we can collaborate on specific challenges, such as water management, post-harvest quality improvement, or youth skills development.

There is no fee for becoming a partner.

Collaborate with us

Do you want to help Morocco's olive oil sector grow in a sustainable way and create real opportunities for young people in the process?

We would appreciate to hear from you. For questions or to express your interest, please contact project manager Cathelijne van Melle. 

Reach out now

About CBI

CBI promotes sustainable production and trade between low-and middle-income countries and the Netherlands and Europe. We partner with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their ecosystem to strengthen their social and environmental sustainability.

CBI is part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.