HIBAPRESS – Mohammed Zeriyouh
With the arrival of October, the villages and hamlets in the Rif region transform into a beehive, as olive harvesting and pressing operations begin in an atmosphere filled with activity.
This agricultural season is one of the most important annual events awaited by farmers and seasonal workers, due to the economic dynamism and temporary job opportunities it provides, which revitalize local markets. After a year of drought and a decline in production, the agricultural sector in the Rif is regaining its breath this season thanks to the abundance of the crop and the return of production to its usual levels. Estimates indicate that this abundance will positively impact prices, as the price of olive oil is expected to decrease, which witnessed an unprecedented increase last year exceeding 100 dirhams per liter. It is no secret that the rainfall that the region experienced in the past agricultural season contributed directly to improving the productivity of olive trees and raising the quality of the fruit. Also, a number of producers benefited from the introduction of modern irrigation and tree care techniques, which enabled them to overcome the effects of the drought that exhausted the sector in recent years. On the ground, harvesting methods vary between the traditional and modern means, as rural families rely on manual labor in small fields, while larger farms use mechanical equipment. Despite this widespread activity, farmers still face difficulties related to the scarcity of labor and the high cost of transportation, which sometimes limits their profit margin. In another aspect of the season, olive presses have been experiencing continuous activity since the beginning of the month, where the fruits go through multiple stages starting with sieving and washing and ending with pressing and oil extraction. Many production units focus on respecting quality and hygiene standards, to ensure a natural product that preserves its nutritional and medicinal properties. At the market level, preliminary figures indicate a gradual decrease in prices, as the price of olives ranges between 7 and 8 dirhams per kilogram, while a liter of oil is sold between 50 and 70 dirhams depending on the quality. This decline is expected to continue in the coming weeks thanks to the abundance of production and the increase in supply in various local markets. Despite the positive atmosphere that accompanies the current season, some problems remain before the actors in the sector, such as the weakness of the infrastructure leading to the farms, the monopoly of some intermediaries on marketing chains, in addition to the lack of framing and support directed to small farmers. Nevertheless, the olive season remains an annual event celebrated by the people of the Rif, a symbol of fertility and giving and a lever for the local economy.
