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Moroccan Argan Oil First African Product to Receive Special Status

The argan tree produces argan oil which has nutritive, cosmetic, and medicinal properties. Photo: Zoubida Charrouf

2009-06

Long valued for its nutritive, cosmetic, and medicinal properties, argan oil from Morocco has received Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) from Morocco’s Commission nationale des signes distinctifs d’origine et de qualité (CNSDOQ). The official document was presented by the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI.

IDRC provided funding to Morocco’s first argan oil processing cooperatives, which are run entirely by women, and to researcher Zoubida Charrouf, who led efforts to have argan oil recognized by CNSDOQ.

"It was a strenous battle .... and IDRC was the base of all this terrific work," said Charrouf. "It is everyone’s victory. The confidence you have in the researchers played a great part."

The PGI designation identifies products from a specific region as having unique properties and signals to consumers that they meet stringent standards. It can also help protect traditional knowledge and promote producers' collective rights.

Other familiar products that have received such recognition include champagne, Charlevoix lamb, and Asiago cheese.

Argan oil is the first African product to receive a PGI.

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