Marrakech – The fourth edition of the International Argan Fair is officially underway in Agadir, running from December 21 to January 16 under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests.
Organized by the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and the Argan Tree (ANDZOA), the fair celebrates Morocco’s unique argan heritage and reaffirms the sector’s strategic role in the country’s sustainable development agenda.
Among the cooperatives taking center stage is the Taitmatine Cooperative for the Production and Marketing of Argan Oil and Its Derivatives, based in Tiout Commune, Taroudant Province.
Founded on March 27, 2002, the cooperative began with just twenty members and has since grown into a model of women-led economic empowerment.
Today, it produces cosmetic and edible argan oil, amlou, a traditional mix of argan oil and honey, and a variety of other argan-based products.
Amina Ait Taleb, President of the cooperative, shared insights into the journey of the Taitmatine Cooperative and its transformative partnership with global cosmetics giant L’Oréal.
“When we started, fulfilling customer orders was a major challenge,” she told MWN. “That challenge led us to create Targanine, a group initially of two cooperatives, now six, dedicated to marketing our products nationally and internationally.
This collaboration allowed us not only to grow economically but also to strengthen social development among our members.”
The partnership with L’Oréal, which began in 2010, marked a major turning point for the cooperative.
“Before working with L’Oréal, our trade was conventional,” Ait Taleb said. “Through this partnership, we learned about fair trade principles, which we had not applied before,” she said.
“L’Oréal’s approach is distinctive, it values not only economic outcomes but also social dimensions, particularly supporting rural women. Without this, we could not have competed in such a strong and intense market.”
Argan oil, once a household product shared among family and neighbors, has now become a global commodity, thanks in large part to the efforts of cooperatives like Taitmatine and their collaboration with international companies.
“This heritage is closely linked to rural women and exists only in Morocco,” Ait Taleb noted. “We are proud to preserve it and to contribute to making it known both nationally and internationally.”
The International Argan Fair highlights not only the economic potential of argan oil but also its cultural significance.
Exhibitors and visitors alike celebrate the vital role of women in harvesting, processing, and marketing argan products, which form an integral part of Morocco’s identity and sustainable development strategy.
As Morocco continues to position itself as a global hub for argan production, the story of Taitmatine Cooperative demonstrates how local initiatives, combined with strategic international partnerships, can empower women, preserve cultural heritage, and bring rural communities into the global economy.
“We started with a simple idea, to produce and sell argan oil, but today, thanks to our members, partners, and clients like L’Oréal, our work supports social progress, economic independence, and international recognition,” Ait Taleb added.
