Agadir – Agadir officially opened the fourth edition of the International Argan Fair on Sunday.
The event is organized under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, and by the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Areas and the Argan Tree (ANDZOA). The exhibition will continue until January 16, 2026.
The fair, a pillar of the Argan Tree and Handicrafts Fair, including the ninth edition of the National Handicrafts Week, is being held at Place Prince Heritier and Place Hotel de Ville.
This year’s Salon comes as Morocco hosts the Africa Cup of Nations 2025. The event was timed to coincide with the tournament, aiming to encourage cultural exchange and bring African communities together.
With thousands of fans visiting Agadir for the matches, the Salon gives them a chance to learn about the argan tree, its history, and its role in Morocco.
The theme this year is “The Argan Tree: A Symbol of Resilience and Adaptation, a Bridge for African Communication.”
The International Argan Fair shows the environmental, economic, and social value of the argan tree.
It helps protect ecosystems, fight desertification, and support rural economies. Argan-based activities also create jobs and empower local communities — especially women — through cooperatives.
This year’s edition brings together argan production and traditional craftsmanship within a diverse exhibition space. Around 200 stands showcase argan oil, cosmetics, food products, and artisanal creations that reflect Morocco’s cultural heritage.
In addition, more than 20 African countries are taking part with their own stands, making the Salon a real space for dialogue, shared heritage, and cultural diversity, always with the argan tree at the center of this continental exchange.
By uniting producers and artisans, the Salon gives visitors a full view of the argan value chain. It shows the link between natural resources and traditional crafts, while offering cooperatives and producers a platform to promote their work and reach new markets.
The program includes exhibitions, cultural events, and awareness activities for both the public and professionals.
These initiatives focus on sustainable practices, knowledge sharing, and protecting the argan ecosystem, which is recognized worldwide for its ecological importance.
Monday Saaïd Amzazi, Wali of the Souss-Massa region, toured the exhibition venue as part of the event’s opening activities.
The argan tree and its role
The argan tree grows mainly in Morocco, especially around Agadir in the southwest. It can survive in very dry, tough conditions, making it one of the most resilient trees in the region.
The tree helps stop soil erosion and desertification, and it produces argan oil, used in food, cosmetics, and traditional medicine. Its cultivation provides income for thousands of rural families and supports women-led cooperatives.