28 CULTIVAR ANALYSIS AND PROSPECTIVE STUDIES No. 35 Olive groves and olive oil The importance of the olive sector in North African countries The olive sector in North Africa, particularly in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt, has seen sustained growth over the last two decades, driven by public policies, investment and international demand. The region has a total of over 4.5 million hectares of olive groves, with olive oil production ranging between 1.5 and 2.5 million tonnes, depending on the harvest. North Africa accounts for 20 to 25 per cent of global olive oil exports, originating largely from Tunisia, though Morocco is gradually strengthening its presence on the international market. equivalent to more than 200,000 permanent jobs, of which 20 per cent are held by women. The sector contributes to meeting the country’s needs for edible oils, covering around 17 to 20 per cent of these needs, and to balancing the trade balance, generating foreign exchange earnings equivalent to 2.1 billion dirhams per year, or around 184 million euros (2020–2024 average). Proportion of olive groves in the total area of fruit orchards in Morocco Olive groves cover an area of 1,238,800 hectares, representing 65 per cent of the total fruit-growing area, which makes the olive tree a key crop This trend is accompanied by the modernisation of production systems (localised irrigation, efficient mills) and improved quality. However, the sector continues to face significant challenges, notably climate variability, pressure on Olive groves cover an area of 1,238,800 hectares, accounting for 65 per cent of the total area under fruit cultivation, making the olive tree a of vital importance to the country… vital to the country, particularly for olive oil production. Compared with other fruit crops, the olive tree is by far the dominant one, with citrus fruits accounting for 8 per cent, pome fruits 17 per cent whilst crops such as date palms (3.2%), vines (2.2%) and fig trees (2.5%) are of lesser importance. Figure 1 – Proportion of olive groves in the total area of Moroccan fruit orchards Date palm Vineyards 40,000 ha (2.2%) Fig trees 46,400 ha (2.5 %) Other species 65,600 ha (3.5 %) water resources and the fragmentation of farms. In the long term, the sector’s development in these countries is expected to focus on greater sustainability, a focus on quality and market diversification, confirming a structural transformation in course, despite a challenging climate. The socio-economic importanceof olive groves in Morocco The olive tree, thanks to its products and age-old uses, as well as its multiple functions in combating erosion, enhancing agricultural land and helping to keep populations in mountainous areas, forms part of the main fruit-growing sector in Morocco and accounts for 65 per cent of the country’s total fruitgrowing area. Olive growing is a major source of employment, providing over 51 million working days per year, 60,000 ha (3.2%) Rosaceae 328,800 ha (17%) Citrus fruits 100,000 ha (8%) Geographical distribution Olive groves 1,238,800 ha (65 %) The distribution of this sector across agricultural areas shows that, with the exception of the Atlantic coast,
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