Lesieur Cristal has won first prize at Morocco’s National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition during SIAM 2026 in Meknes. The award went to its subsidiary Société d’Exploitation des Oliviers for the “Medium Green Fruity” category for its Kalea olive oil.
The award was given by the Ministry of Agriculture at the International Exhibition of Agriculture in Morocco (SIAM). It recognises the company’s full production process, from olive farming to pressing and storage.
Kalea olive oil is produced from company-owned farms in Marrakech-Safi. Lesieur Cristal says this allows full control over farming and quality standards based on local conditions. The company says the result reflects its work in improving agricultural production.
Marrakech-Safi is a key olive-producing region in Morocco under the “Green Generation” plan. It has adopted modern farming methods like high-density planting and drip irrigation. The region produces about 25% of Morocco’s olives.
The industry is also shifting towards vertical integration. More companies are processing olives directly on farms. This reduces the time between harvest and pressing to a few hours, helping maintain quality.
SIAM 2026 also focused on promoting “Made in Morocco” products in export markets. Moroccan olive oils are being positioned for buyers in Europe and North America, where demand for Mediterranean products is growing. The Moroccan Picholine variety used in Kalea is part of this push.
Sustainability was another focus. Some producers are converting olive waste into biomass energy to power their mills. The aim is to reduce waste and improve efficiency in production.
