Moroccan argan oil: from argan tree to bottle (production, supply chain, and quality)
Argan oil is one of the iconic products of Morocco’s natural heritage and traditional expertise. Used for generations in food, skin care, and hair care, it now supports an entire industry, particularly women’s cooperatives in southwestern Morocco.
To understand this product, we look at it in three stages: the argan tree and its habitat, the production and quality of the oil, then the industry’s economic structure, from harvest to sale. At the end, a guide will help you choose from our oils and argan products.
Morocco, the birthplace of argan oil
The argan tree, whose scientific name is Argania spinosa, is adapted to dry climates. Its natural range is concentrated overwhelmingly in southwestern Morocco. Morocco is therefore the historic and leading producer of argan oil worldwide: experimental or commercial plantations exist elsewhere, but none has a comparable traditional industry.
The argan tree also plays an ecological role. Its roots help stabilize the soil, the tree contributes to maintaining biodiversity, and its vegetation cover helps limit land degradation in arid areas.
Key figures for the industry
These figures come from institutional and industry sources. They are not all statistics for 2026.
FIFARGANE also published more detailed data on the industry in November 2024:
| Scope | Area | What it refers to |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional argan forest | about 830,000 ha | The tree’s natural range, a benchmark figure used by agricultural institutions. |
| UNESCO Biosphere Reserve | nearly 2.5 million ha | The protected area recognized since 1998. |
| New argan cultivation | variable | New areas dedicated to planting argan trees. |
These figures are not interchangeable: publications often confuse them.
Where is argan oil produced?
The main production areas are located around Souss-Massa, particularly Agadir, Taroudant, Tiznit, Chtouka-Aït Baha and neighboring rural areas, as well as in the hinterland of Essaouira and parts of Guelmim-Oued Noun.
This region explains why argan oil is associated with Amazigh culture and Moroccan heritage. UNESCO inscribed the practices and know-how related to the argan tree on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2014, while the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve has been recognized since 1998.
From tree to bottle: how is argan oil made?
Argan oil production involves six steps. The traditional process is labor-intensive, which largely explains the value of this oil.
Harvesting
Ripe fruits are gathered, often after falling naturally. They resemble small olives and contain a very hard pit.
Drying and depulping
The fruits are dried, then stripped of their pulp to retrieve the argan nuts.
Crushing
The hard shell is broken to extract the small kernels. Traditionally, this is done by hand with two stones. It requires great precision.
Roasting, depending on the intended use
For traditional food-grade oil, the kernels are lightly roasted. For cosmetic oil, this step is normally omitted.
Extraction
The kernels are mechanically pressed or traditionally ground and kneaded. Mechanical pressing makes quality control easier and limits the addition of water.
Filtration and packaging
The oil is left to settle or filtered, then packaged in suitable containers and protected from light and heat.
How much fruit is needed for one liter of oil?
The FAO gives an illustrative example of about 50 kg of fruit yielding half a liter of oil, while documented yields for mechanized processes can be higher. Yields vary considerably depending on the quality of the fruit, how dry it is, and the extraction method.
Cosmetic and food-grade argan oil: what are the differences?
One essential distinction from the outset: food-grade argan oil and cosmetic argan oil come from the same kernels, but their preparation methods differ. Roasting the kernels is the main traditional difference between the two.
| Criterion | Cosmetic | Food |
|---|---|---|
| Kernels | Unroasted | Slightly roasted |
| Typical color | Golden yellow | Dark golden to coppery |
| Smell | Subtle, vegetal, or slightly nutty | More pronounced roasted hazelnut flavor |
| Primary use | Skin, hair, nails | Cooking, seasoning, amlou |
| Taste | Not intended for consumption when sold as a cosmetic | Characteristic hazelnut flavor |
| Labeling | Cosmetics regulations | Food regulations |
Both oils can be high quality. Cosmetic oil is not an inferior-quality food oil: it is a preparation intended for a different use.
Conversely, a cosmetic oil should not be presented as edible simply because it is pure. Its packaging, traceability, and quality controls must be suitable for food consumption.
In our shop: our argan oils are presented for external use (skin, hair, and nail care). Always read each product’s label before using it.
What does argan oil really contain?
The value of argan oil lies mainly in its fatty acid composition and naturally occurring compounds present in small amounts.
Indicative ranges based on studies and batches (scale from 0 to 50 %). These values illustrate published ranges and do not replace analysis of a specific batch.
The oil also contains tocopherols, members of the vitamin E family, phytosterols, and other minor compounds. A key scientific publication reports tocopherol levels of around 600 to 900 mg/kg in virgin oil.
Its cosmetic uses
- Face: an emollient oil that helps soften the skin and limit water loss, enhancing the feeling of comfort.
- Body: use for massage, or as a treatment after showering or a hammam ritual.
- Hair: apply a few drops to the lengths and ends to improve softness and shine, and reduce the appearance of dryness.
- Nails and cuticles: massage in to soften dry areas.
- Beard: care for facial hair and the skin underneath.
These cosmetic uses are consistent with the oil's emollient properties. However, traditional uses should not be turned into medical promises: argan oil should not be presented as a proven treatment for eczema, psoriasis, deep wrinkles, or hair loss.
Its culinary uses
Edible oil is traditionally appreciated for its toasted hazelnut aroma. It is enjoyed with bread, in dressings, and in amlou, a Moroccan preparation generally made with almonds, honey, and argan oil.
Nutritionally, argan oil mainly provides unsaturated fats, like other quality vegetable oils. This does not mean that it has proven therapeutic effects on its own.
Remember: in cooking, only use an oil sold as food. Oil sold as a cosmetic, even if pure, is not intended for consumption.
How are women's cooperatives organized?
Cooperatives play a central role in adding value to argan, although the industry also includes producer households, traders, private processing units, and exporters.
How it usually works
-
Fruit harvesting
Rural families, rights holders, and collectors.
-
Kernel preparation
Drying, depulping, crushing, and sorting.
-
Extraction and quality control
Pressing, filtration, testing, and storage.
-
Marketing
Direct sales, wholesalers, brands, and exporters.
A cooperative is, in principle, a collective organization whose members participate in its governance. Depending on its size and resources, it can carry out the entire processing operation or just some stages, then entrust pressing, packaging, or marketing to a partner.
Cooperatives can pool equipment, negotiate purchases, organize schedules, allocate tasks, and sell under a shared brand. They can also work with groups or unions of cooperatives to access larger markets.
Their social importance
Historically, women have held much of the expertise in crushing and extraction. Organizing into cooperatives has opened up opportunities for income, training, literacy, and participation in local economic life.
But the benefits are not automatically shared equally. Some studies point to pay disparities, difficulties accessing financing, dependence on intermediaries, and limited control over international marketing.
| Challenge | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Drought and pressure on argan forests | Irregular supply and cost pressures |
| Labor-intensive manual crushing | A lengthy process that is difficult to scale up quickly |
| Lack of equipment and financing | Variable productivity and quality |
| Numerous intermediaries | Some of the final value is captured outside cooperatives |
| Sometimes insufficient traceability | Difficulty proving origin and purity |
| Limited control over brands and distribution | Dependence on professional buyers |
A study published in 2025 on the environmental and social impacts of production highlights the need to compare traditional, semi-mechanized, and mechanized processes, rather than assuming that one method is always preferable.
An export industry: where is value created?
Moroccan argan oil is sought after by cosmetics companies, laboratories, skincare brands, and international distributors. However, exporting crude oil does not generate the same value as marketing a finished product under a recognized brand.
A 2026 diagnostic report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) states that 93% of exported argan oil is shipped in bulk, in containers holding more than five liters, and that a very large share is subsequently processed and marketed under brands abroad.
This figure is based on earlier industry sources, including ANDZOA 2024.
This highlights a significant economic opportunity for Morocco: to further develop quality filtration, testing, packaging, cosmetic formulation, brands, and international distribution locally.
The challenge is therefore not just to produce more oil, but to retain a greater share of the added value in Morocco while ensuring producers and cooperatives are paid fairly.
How can you recognize quality argan oil?
Color and smell can offer clues, but they are not enough to prove authenticity. Argan oil can be pure while showing natural variations in color or smell, depending on the origin of the fruit, the extraction process, and storage conditions.
| Criterion | What to check |
|---|---|
| Origin | Morocco, ideally with the region and producer identified |
| Composition | Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil for a pure cosmetic oil |
| Extraction | First cold mechanical pressing, if claimed |
| Purity | No mixing with other oils |
| Traceability | Batch number, manufacturing date, supplier |
| Storage | Clean, suitable, protective packaging |
| Testing | Peroxide value, acidity, fatty acid profile, and microbiological testing where relevant |
| Certifications | Verifiable documents that genuinely correspond to the product |
Argan oil has a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in Morocco, in force since 2010, as well as a set of specifications intended to protect its origin and characteristics. Please note: not every oil produced in Morocco automatically has PGI certification.
Laboratories can also look for signs of adulteration by analyzing fatty acid profiles and other chemical markers. One study, for example, analyzed oils from Essaouira, Taroudant, Tiznit, Chtouka-Aït Baha, and Sidi Ifni to investigate their origin and authenticity.
Our advice: claims such as “100% pure,” “organic,” “first cold-pressed,” “from a women’s cooperative,” or “PGI” should match characteristics that have actually been verified. Always ask for the product’s composition, batch number, and origin.
Storage and shelf life
Argan oil is sensitive to oxidation, especially when exposed to heat, light and air. To preserve its qualities, store it in a tightly closed bottle, in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
Oil that develops a distinctly rancid or unusual smell should no longer be used. Its exact shelf life depends on the manufacturing process, packaging and stability tests, so it would be unwise to state a universal shelf life for all oils.
Our guide: argan oils and argan products
At Trésors du Souk, argan comes in oils and care products. Here’s our selection, organized by what you’re looking for. For each product, see the product information for details on ingredients, precautions for use and patch testing.
Choose in twenty seconds
- I’m discovering argan: 60 ml argan oil.
- I use it often, for multiple purposes: 250 ml argan oil.
- I want a quick hair and body treatment: argan oil spray.
- I’m putting together my bathing routine: argan soap, shampoo or scrub.
- I’m giving a moment of well-being: the Moroccan hammam set.
To learn more about using oil on your skin and hair, also read our article Argan oil: the secret to radiant skin and gorgeous hair.
Argan oils
Argan oil, 60 ml
The ideal size for discovering the oil: a few drops on the face, on hair ends, or massaged onto nails and cuticles, as the product information recommends.
For: face, hair, nails
View 60 ml argan oil
Argan oil, 250 ml
The large format for regular use on the face, body and hair, including as a hair mask before shampooing.
For: face, body, hair
View 250 ml argan oil
Argan oil spray, 100 ml
A convenient spray format for hair and body, easy to use every day.
For: hair, body
View argan sprayArgan care products
Argan soap, 100 g
A soap enriched with argan oil for daily cleansing.
For: face and body cleansing
View argan soap
Nourishing argan shampoo, 200 ml
A nourishing, softening shampoo designed for dry and damaged hair.
For: dry hair
View the argan shampoo
Argan oil cream, 100 ml
A rich, nourishing treatment that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy film.
For: skin hydration
View the argan cream
Dr. Lana Argan Body Scrub, 350 ml
A sherbet-style body scrub for softer skin after a hammam or shower.
For: body exfoliation
View the argan scrubFor gifting
Moroccan hammam set
A gift basket featuring six products for the hammam ritual, including argan oil and argan soap.
For: gifting, hammam ritual
View the hammam setDiscover the full ritual in the Hammam Essence collection.
Frequently asked questions about Moroccan argan oil
Where is argan oil produced?
The argan tree’s natural range is concentrated largely in southwestern Morocco. The main production areas are around Souss-Massa (Agadir, Taroudant, Tiznit, Chtouka-Aït Baha), inland from Essaouira, and in parts of Guelmim-Oued Noun.
What is the difference between cosmetic and culinary argan oil?
Both oils come from the same kernels. For culinary oil, the kernels are lightly roasted, giving it a toasted hazelnut flavor. This step is generally omitted for cosmetic oil.
How many fruits does it take to make argan oil?
The FAO gives the example of about 50 kg of fruit yielding half a liter of oil using the traditional method. Yields vary depending on the quality of the fruit, how dry it is, and the extraction method.
How can you recognize genuine argan oil?
Color and smell are not enough. Check the origin, composition (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil for pure cosmetic oil), batch number, date of manufacture and, where available, test results and certifications.
Is all argan oil produced in Morocco IGP-certified?
No. Argan oil has had a Protected Geographical Indication in Morocco since 2010, but not all oil produced in Morocco automatically receives this certification.
How should argan oil be stored?
In a tightly sealed bottle, in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Oil that develops a distinctly rancid or unusual smell should no longer be used.
Does argan oil treat eczema, psoriasis, or hair loss?
No, it should not be presented as a proven treatment for these problems. In cosmetics, it is valued for its emollient properties: it helps soften the skin and make hair feel smoother.
Why are women’s cooperatives important?
Historically, women have held much of the know-how involved in cracking the nuts and extracting the oil. Cooperatives have opened up opportunities for them to earn an income, receive training, and participate in local economic life, although the benefits are not automatically distributed equally.
In summary
Moroccan argan oil is much more than a vegetable oil. It lies at the crossroads of four fields: Amazigh cultural heritage, agriculture in arid regions, the social economy of women’s cooperatives, and the international cosmetics industry.
Its worldwide reputation is based on an exceptional region of origin, a historically demanding extraction method, and an appealing composition of unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols. The challenge in the coming years will be to reconcile rising international demand with the protection of argan groves, product quality, and a fairer distribution of value for the benefit of producing communities.
Oils, soap, shampoo, cream, scrub, and gift set: find the argan product that’s right for you.
60 ml argan oil Moroccan hammam setSources
- FIFARGANE, data on the argan oil industry (November 2024).
- INRA, research on the argan tree and its ecological role.
- UNESCO, Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB): Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve.
- UNESCO, intangible cultural heritage: practices and know-how related to the argan tree (2014).
- Agricultural Development Agency (ADA): argan groves and the industry.
- FAO: illustration of argan oil yields.
- PubMed Central (PMC): fatty acid composition and authenticity of argan oil.
- Cahiers Agricultures: tocopherol content of virgin oil.
- UNDP: women’s cooperatives and value distribution.
- Springer Nature Link: 2025 study on the environmental and social impacts of production.
- International Finance Corporation (IFC): 2026 assessment of bulk exports, based on ANDZOA 2024 data.
The figures cited come from institutional and professional sources. They are not all statistics from 2026. Back to the beginning of the article
