Oriental Region’s Olive Industry Booms: 55% Growth in Cultivated Area Over Decade

Since the launch of the PAR, 30 projects have been programmed for a total investment of 602 MDH. Spread over an area of about 40,000 hectares, these projects benefit nearly 18,100 farmers, the press release from the regional agricultural department points out, stressing that the 55% increase in the area dedicated to olive cultivation has made it possible to increase production to 202,000 tons.

According to the DRA, the Oriental region has more than 370 olive oil mills, including 49 modern ones with an estimated capacity of 28,000 tons per year. It also has 30 canning plants with a capacity of 53,000 tons per year, mostly located in the provinces of Taourirt and Guercif where 70% of the production is intended for milling and 30% for canning. Moreover, the value of exports has increased from 42 MDH in 2009 to 400 MDH in 2019.