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The olive harvesting season has commenced across various regions of Morocco, sparking expectations for a decline in olive oil prices following a noticeable surplus in raw crop yields. Preliminary market data indicates that the price for a kilogram of raw green olives has dropped to approximately 5 MAD in several districts. Consumers and industry stakeholders are hopeful that this seasonal abundance will translate into lower retail prices for final consumption in the coming months.
In the Nador province, specifically within the Zaio and Bouarg areas of the Arekmane commune, harvesting operations are accelerating alongside the full readiness of pressing mills to process the incoming supply. While prices are softening, industry experts suggest that whether oil prices hit the 50 MAD per liter mark depends on integrated factors, including crop quality, oil extraction rates, and the combined costs of logistics and milling.
However, farmers and plantation owners are grappling with a sharp paradox: falling raw olive prices versus surging labor costs. In regions like Guersif, daily wages for seasonal workers have climbed to between 200 and 250 MAD, with the cost of harvesting a single crate reaching 30 MAD. This labor crisis is exacerbated by a significant shortage of seasonal workers, driven by youth migration and the physically demanding nature of the profession.
As the season progresses, the primary challenge for the Moroccan olive oil sector remains achieving a market equilibrium that protects the profit margins of producers while ensuring affordable prices for a consumer base that has faced record-high prices over the previous years.
Source: Arifino.net