Morocco’s lucrative argan oil industry—often dubbed “liquid gold”—is putting unsustainable pressure on the country’s shrinking argan forests, even as it creates vital jobs for rural women. Once spanning more than 14,000 square kilometers, the argan forest has shrunk by nearly 40% in recent decades due to climate change, overgrazing, and poor land management. Experts say six consecutive years of drought and increasing numbers of goats and camels feeding on the trees have weakened the forest’s ability to regenerate. “These animals eat both the leaves and fruits, compounding the effects of drought,” says Professor Zoubida Charrouf of Mohammed V University.
At the heart of the industry are women-led cooperatives, which depend on argan harvesting for income. Many of these communities manage the forest using the traditional Agdal system, which restricts harvesting to certain months to allow regrowth. “Agdal is an ancestral method,” says Jamila Idbourrous, director of a cooperative in Tamanar. “It protects biodiversity and ensures sustainable harvesting.” To mitigate damage, the Moroccan government has initiated reforestation efforts, planting over 10 million argan trees since 2011 under the “Arganiculture Project.” These include agroforestry combinations—pairing argan with crops like capers—to improve soil and water retention. However, the new trees won’t bear fruit for years.
Despite global argan oil prices soaring from $2.50 to $60 per liter over the last 30 years, many workers in the cooperatives still earn less than $10 per day. Experts warn that premature harvesting and market-driven pressure may reduce oil quality and further damage the ecosystem. Environmentalists are calling for better enforcement of harvesting rules, fairer wages, and international support to ensure that Morocco’s argan boom doesn’t come at the cost of its forests.
