You are what you legislate

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Moroccan Argan Oil


The story of argan oil, touted as a solution to both rural poverty and environmental degradation, illustrates the importance of coupling economic and social development with sustainable practices. In this case, “conservation through commercialization” supported economic gains for local people, but did not result in greater protection of the argan tree.

The Argan Tree
Argania spinosa is a hardy tree endemic to Morocco and little known outside of it. It is the second-most numerous tree species, and approximately 20 million argan trees grow over 7500 hectares in the semi-desert southwest of the country. With a life-span of 150 to 200 years, the argan tree can withstand extreme heat and drought thanks to deep root systems and other adaptations. It produces fruits slightly larger than walnuts, which contain one to three almond-like kernels inside a tough shell. The argan tree has deep cultural significance to the Berber people, who use the wood for fuel, leaves and pulp as food for goats, and the oil for cosmetic and culinary purposes. This unique tree plays an important socioeconomic role, providing livelihood for approximately 3 million people through the sale of nuts and oil.

Argan Oil
Argan oil is slightly darker in color than olive oil with a reddish tinge. It is used for both cooking and in cosmetic products including lotions, soaps, and sunscreen. The oil is high in vitamins A and E and essential fatty acids, and has been found to contain antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. Research has demonstrated some cholesterol-lowering properties, and has linked consumption of argan oil with a reduced risk for some cancers, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.


In the past two decades, the popularity of argan oil exploded due to favorable research findings about its culinary, health, and cosmetic properties. It has been showcased as an ingredient by top chefs and is gaining popularity as an ingredient in luxury cosmetics in the US and Europe. This demand lead to higher prices – it is currently one of the most expensive edible oils in the world – and increased production. 

Cooperative Oil Production and Benefits
The vast majority of argan oil is produced by cooperatives of women, by hand. Due to the hardness of the nut – sixteen times harder than a hazelnut – the production of oil is difficult. Attempts at mechanization have met with limited success, and while parts of the process can be mechanized, cracking the nuts with traditional hand methods is still the most effective. Once the hard shells are cracked, the kernels are roasted, crushed to a paste, and kneaded to bring the oil to the surface. The protein-rich residue is used as feed for goats, or mixed with honey to make amlou, a thick, peanut-butter like paste served with bread for breakfast.

Before the establishment of cooperatives in the 1990’s, oil producers had limited access to high-value markets due to poor infrastructure and indirect participation in the market for argan fruit. By combining traditional knowledge with increased production efficiency and market access, cooperatives have been very successful in expanding the market for argan oil and increasing the wages earned by producers. As of 2010, there were over fifty co-ops in southwestern Morocco producing argan oil for international and domestic markets.

Berber women are the primary producers of argan oil, and have benefited greatly from the success of the co-ops. In 2010 in the Essaouira region, women were earning about six Euros per day working through co-ops, ten times what they had earned producing it on their own. This brings them greater economic freedom, and households that had access to argan trees are more likely to send girls to secondary school. Larger organizations, including the Union des Cooperatives des Femmes de l’Arganeraie, link smaller co-ops together and aim to provide education and conservation training to the women involved.

Sustainability Issues
            The Moroccan government supports the development of the industry, and plans to triple production by 2020. However, with the increases in price and production have come more intensive harvesting practices that may not be sustainable. Researchers at UC Davis found that the while the argan oil boom benefited locals economically and increased the availability of education for girls, it sped up degradation of the forests. Argan nuts are being harvested more aggressively, sometimes reducing the crop of the following year. Households also tend to buy more goats with the earnings from increased sales, which can lead to tree damage when the goats overgraze. Many individual households have become more vigilant protectors of the fruit, but it has not spurred broader investment in the health of the argan forest.

This is a worrying trend. The argan tree has an important environmental function as a barrier to the encroachment of the Sahara desert. Its deep roots help anchor soil against wind and water erosion, and can even help supply water to nearby plants. It is also a foundation species for over 1,000 other plants and animals in the ecosystem. Because of its ecological importance, UNESCO declared the Argan forest an international biosphere reserve in 1998. Despite the recognition of its ecological role, numbers are dwindling – nearly one-third of the argan forest has been lost in the past 40 years.

The UC Davis researchers point out that conservation is not as simple as increasing demand for a traditional product. The success of commercialization in spurring conservation depends on how closely linked local benefits are with regeneration of the resource, on property rights and sovereignty within the communities, and on how households invest the economic gains. Argan oil has been touted as a win-win product, empowering women and alleviating rural poverty while encouraging protection of a valuable natural resource. The economic and gender equity gains are very real, unfortunately, the environmental benefits aren’t evident. It is essential that the government, NGO’s, and production cooperatives fully address the sustainability of argan oil production so this resource can continue to benefit people and the environment in the future. Unless this happens, the reduction in poverty and greater access to education will also be short-term gains of over-exploitation.

Read more about Argan oil here
Read the full UC Davis article here

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