Fez — Morocco’s argan tree, its distinctive oil, and the traditional knowledge surrounding its cultivation have received international attention during the 2026 World Food Forum in Rome.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) highlighted Moroccan argan heritage through an exhibition at its headquarters, exploring the cultural and agricultural importance of one of the country’s most recognizable natural products.

The display formed part of the organization’s “From Seeds to Foods” exhibition initiative, which examines agricultural diversity and the ways traditional knowledge contributes to food production.

A living tradition from southwestern Morocco

The Moroccan Press Agency (MAP) reported on October 16 that the presentation featured argan seeds, kernels, and oil, alongside information explaining the traditions associated with the tree.

Native to southwestern Morocco, the argan tree supports an agricultural system that communities have developed and maintained over centuries.

Its oil plays a role in Moroccan cooking and cosmetics, while the tree itself contributes to local livelihoods, biodiversity, and agricultural resilience.

The exhibition also draws attention to the importance of preserving the practices and knowledge surrounding argan production for future generations.

In 2018, FAO recognized the argan-based agricultural, forestry, and pastoral system of Aït Souab-Aït Mansour as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.

The designation acknowledges traditional farming practices that help communities adapt to arid conditions, limited water resources, and fragile soils.

Morocco’s traditional stone mill enters the spotlight

Beyond argan oil, Morocco’s contribution to FAO’s permanent heritage collection includes an antique stone mill known as a rha.

Traditionally used to grind grains and other agricultural products, the mill illustrates the techniques Moroccan communities developed to transform agricultural harvests into food.

The historical object now forms part of the permanent collection of the FAO Museum and Network (MuNe) in Rome.

Its presence highlights a broader aspect of Moroccan food heritage, connecting everyday agricultural tools with the preservation of traditional knowledge.

The recognition also follows the United Nations’ 2021 decision to establish May 10 as the International Day of Argania.