Behind every liter of argan oil stands a full year of nature's patience and human labor. Unlike industrial products made around the clock, argan oil follows a seasonal cycle governed by a resilient tree living in a semi-arid climate — one that surrenders its fruit only when the time is right. Understanding this cycle matters to anyone interested in the oil, whether a consumer or a brand owner planning purchases.
Winter and spring: blossoming and fruit set
Argan trees usually flower between late winter and spring, depending on rainfall and temperatures. After pollination, the small yellow-green blossoms become green fruit resembling large olives. At this stage, rain plays the deciding role: a wet year promises abundant, plump fruit, while a dry year means a smaller crop — one reason production volumes swing from year to year.
Summer: ripening and harvest
As summer arrives, the fruit ripens, turning from green to golden yellow, then dries and falls. The main harvest season typically runs from June to August, when local families gather the fallen fruit from beneath the trees — tradition forbids picking from the branches, both to protect the tree and to guarantee full ripeness.
After the harvest: drying and storage
The gathered fruit is sun-dried, then stored in dry, well-ventilated conditions. A chain of careful steps follows:
- Depulping: the dried outer flesh of the fruit is removed.
- Cracking: the extremely hard nut is cracked by hand to free the kernel — the most delicate stage, entirely dependent on skill.
- Sorting: kernels are sorted to remove any damaged pieces that would compromise oil quality.
Pressing: where quality is born
Kernels are pressed raw for cosmetic oil, or after light roasting for culinary oil. Cold pressing on modern presses preserves the oil's active compounds; the oil is then filtered and left to settle before bottling in dark containers. Good producers press in batches, on demand, rather than extracting the whole crop at once — sound kernels store better than pressed oil.
What seasonality means for buyers and brands
- Plan ahead: large orders are best arranged with the harvest season and stock availability in mind.
- Price variation: the year's harvest abundance influences global raw material prices.
- The freshness question: ask your suppliers for the pressing date; freshly pressed oil from well-stored kernels is the ideal choice.
- A stable partnership: an ongoing relationship with a reliable manufacturer secures your supply priority in leaner years.
Autumn: The Quiet Season Behind the Scenes
Once the harvest and pressing rush of summer ends, autumn is the season when work moves indoors. Sorted kernels rest in storage, presses are cleaned and serviced, and quality teams review the year's certificates of analysis against previous seasons. It is also when many manufacturers plan the next year's purchase agreements with harvesting cooperatives, since prices and volumes are often discussed before winter rains determine how the new flowering season will unfold.
Planning Supply Across Multiple Years, Not Just One Season
Because argan yields vary with rainfall, experienced buyers rarely plan purchases one season at a time. Many manufacturers keep a buffer of well-stored kernels or finished oil to absorb a weaker year without disrupting client orders. Brands that ask their supplier how they manage this cross-year buffer, rather than only asking about the current season's price, get a clearer picture of how dependable their supply will be over time.
At Assil Ouargane in Morocco, we follow the production cycle from fruit to bottle, press in batches to guarantee freshness, and provide our private-label clients with stable supply throughout the year. Contact us through our website to request a quote and plan your seasonal needs.
