The 16th edition of Morocco’s national competition for the selection of the best extra virgin olive oil,held in the margins of SIAM 2026 in Meknès,awarded prizes to twelve oils drawn from three regions,recognizing the country’s growing capacity to produce world-class quality olive oil across a diverse range of organoleptic profiles.
The competition,organized in partnership with the interprofessional organization Interprolive,was conducted according to the standards of the International Olive Council — the global reference body for olive oil quality — and attracted 77 candidate producers from five regions. Oils were evaluated in four flavor profile categories: intense green fruity,medium green fruity,light green fruity,and ripe fruity. Within each category,three prizes were awarded,producing a twelve-winner field that showcased the regional diversity of Moroccan olive production.
The Fès-Meknès region dominated the intense green fruity category,with Oliveinvest taking first place ahead of Chania and Olea Capital. The medium green fruity category was swept entirely by operators from Marrakech-Safi,with the Société d’exploitation de l’olive topping the podium ahead of Olive Oil Cartel and Maasrat Benmallouk. In light green fruity,Maasra Brahim Zniber from Fès-Meknès earned first prize,followed by two Marrakech-Safi operators. The ripe fruity category was won by GIE Zouyout Ait Attab from Béni Mellal-Khénifra,with Marrakech-Safi producers completing the podium.
The results illustrate both the geographic breadth of Morocco’s olive oil production and the qualitative upgrading that has taken place under successive development strategies. The olive sector is one of Morocco’s most strategically significant agricultural chains: the country ranks among the world’s top ten olive oil producers,with an estimated 1.2 million hectares under cultivation. The current campaign is projecting a notable increase in output given the abundant rainfall of the 2025-2026 season,with production expected to approach record levels in several producing regions.
The competition is framed by the Ministry of Agriculture as an instrument of sectoral incentive — a mechanism that rewards quality,encourages producers to adopt best practices,and raises the visibility of Moroccan olive oils in domestic and export markets. The event’s inclusion in the SIAM program ensures maximum audience among sector professionals,buyers,international delegations,and media,amplifying its impact on the sector’s commercial and reputational development. Morocco’s olive oil industry,which exports primarily to the United States,Brazil,and Saudi Arabia,is increasingly targeting the premium and ultra-premium market segments where quality competitions carry direct commercial value.
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