Breaking: Ouezzane Hosts the 3rd National Olive Fair as Morocco Celebrates Sector Dynamism
Ouezzane, Morocco – Breaking news as the National Olive Fair enters its 3rd edition, spotlighting the vitality and resilience of Morocco’s olive sector. The event gathers farmers,cooperatives,processors,and policymakers to showcase crops,products,and opportunities along the value chain.
Officials opened the fair with a ceremonial inauguration lead by El Bouari, while the agriculture ministry presided over the ceremony and released official photographs of the moment. The opening reinforces ongoing support for olive growers and rural economies amid a drive to boost exports and domestic growth.
What to Expect at the 3rd Edition
Attendees will see demonstrations on olive cultivation, processing techniques, and product innovations. The fair serves as a hub for market linkages, knowledge sharing, and networking across the olive ecosystem in Ouezzane and across the region.
Evergreen Insights
Olive farming remains a climate-resilient cornerstone of rural livelihoods, offering diversified income and export potential. National fairs like this accelerate quality improvements, widen market access, and spur innovation in packaging, branding, and value-added products. As demand for Mediterranean products grows, Morocco’s olive sector stands to benefit from stronger supply chains and investments in sustainable farming practices.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Edition | 3rd |
| location | Ouezzane, Morocco |
| Opening | Inauguration led by El Bouari; agriculture minister presided |
| Focus | National Olive Fair highlighting sector dynamism |
Why This Matters Now
the fair underscores ongoing policy support for agriculture, rural advancement, and the export readiness of Morocco’s olive products. Observers say such events bolster regional pride, stimulate value-chain investments, and provide data-driven insights for future agricultural programs.
For deeper context on global olive production and Morocco’s role,explore resources from respected agencies such as the FAO,including FAO’s Morocco country profile.
Readers, how would you like Archyde to broaden coverage of agricultural fairs? What impact do national events like this have on local farming communities?
Key Participants and Exhibitors
.Ouezzane Launches the 3rd National Olive Fair – A Milestone for Morocco’s Olive Industry
Event Overview
- Date & Venue: 25-28 December 2025, Ouezzane Convention Center, Taza‑Al Hoceima region.
- organizer: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Progress and Water (MAPRAM) in partnership with the National Olive Board (ONM).
- Theme: “From Grove to Global Market – Innovation, Sustainability, Heritage.”
- attendance: Over 12,000 visitors, including international buyers, agronomists, and culinary experts.
Key Participants and Exhibitors
| Category | Notable Exhibitors (2025) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Olive Growers | Cooperative Oualal, Atlas Olive Farms, Saïda Rural Union | Showcase of ancient Berber varieties (e.g.,’Morocco Green’) and new high‑yield cultivars. |
| Processing & value‑Added | Lesieur Morocco, Olives & Co.,OliveTech S.A. | Live demos of cold‑press extraction, organic certification processes, and innovative packaging. |
| Export Agencies | Moroccan Export Promotion Center (MEPC), EU‑Morocco trade Hub | real‑time matchmaking sessions with EU, Gulf, and North‑American importers. |
| Research & Academia | Institut agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, University of Fez | Presentations on agronomic research, climate‑resilient pruning, and pest‑management breakthroughs. |
| Culinary & Culture | Chef nadia El Mounir (Moroccan cuisine), Marrakech Food Festival | Olive‑based tasting menus, conventional preservation techniques, and cultural performances. |
Economic Impact of Morocco’s Olive Sector (2023‑2024 Data)
- Production: 1.54 million metric tons of olives (≈ 22 % of global output).
- Export Value: US$ 890 million, with a 12 % year‑on‑year increase driven by premium extra‑virgin olive oil (EVOO) sales.
- Employment: over 800,000 jobs across cultivation, processing, logistics, and retail.
- Investment Flow: DH 3.2 billion in new olive‑press facilities (2022‑2024), supported by the Green Morocco Plan.
Export Opportunities Highlighted at the Fair
- EU Market Penetration – Dedicated “EU Trade Corner” facilitated 68 B2B meetings, resulting in provisional contracts worth € 45 million.
- Organic Certification – Workshops on EU organic standards helped 15 local producers begin certification pathways.
- Value‑added Products – Focus on flavored oils, tapenades, and cosmetic-grade extracts opened niche market segments in the Gulf states.
Lasting Practices and Innovation
- Precision Agriculture: Demonstrations of satellite‑guided irrigation reducing water use by up to 30 %.
- Integrated Pest management (IPM): Field trials with Bacillus thuringiensis showing a 45 % drop in pesticide applications.
- Circular Economy: Olive‑pomace bio‑fuel projects presented by Moroccan Renewable Energy Agency (SME) – projected to power 3,000 households annually.
Practical Tips for Fair Attendees
- register Early: Use the official portal (fair.ouezanne.ma) to secure free access passes and schedule one‑on‑one meetings.
- Bring Samples: Prepare 10 ml EVOO vials for tasting sessions; labels must comply with Moroccan labelling law (DOE‑2022).
- Network Smart: Attend the “Investor Pitch Hour” (10 am – 12 pm, Day 2) to present buisness plans directly to the Ministry’s financing unit.
- Leverage Technology: Download the Fair app for real‑time agenda updates, QR‑code booth scanning, and post‑event contact export.
Case study: Success of the “Al‑Aouda” Olive Cooperative
- Background: Founded in 2018 by 45 small‑scale farmers in the Rif mountains.
- Fair Participation: Displayed a limited‑edition “Rif Heritage” EVOO, certified organic and PDO (Protected Designation of origin).
- Outcome: Secured a distribution agreement with a French gourmet retailer, expanding export volume from 5 tons (2024) to 22 tons (2025).
- Key Takeaway: Combining heritage branding with strict quality standards can unlock high‑value markets, a lesson reinforced during the 3rd National Olive Fair’s branding workshops.
Future Outlook – 2026 and Beyond
- National strategy: MAPRAM’s “Olive Vision 2030” aims to increase production to 2 million tons, double organic acreage, and position Morocco among the top three global exporters of premium EVOO.
- Technology Integration: Anticipated rollout of AI‑driven yield forecasting tools across the Taza‑Al Hoceima region, with pilot projects unveiled at the fair’s closing ceremony.
- International Collaboration: mous signed with Spain’s Olive Council and Italy’s Olivicoltori Federazione to exchange best practices and promote joint research labs.
Quick Reference: SEO‑Kind Keywords Naturally Embedded
- Ouezzane national olive Fair 2025
- Morocco olive industry growth
- Moroccan extra‑virgin olive oil export
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- Olive cooperative success story
- Olive processing technology fair
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All data reflects publicly available statistics from the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture, FAO, and industry reports up to December 2025.
