Anatomy of The Argan Fruit & Its Socioeconomic Impact

Argan fruits close-up

The different stages of extracting the Argan kernels from the Argan fruit.

The Argan fruit is oval-shaped and a little bigger than an olive. The outer layer of the Argan nut is a thick peel that covers the green fleshy pulp.

Its middle layer is an extremely hard shell preserving the last inner layer which may contain up to 3 almond-shaped Argania Spinosa kernels used for making the 100% pure Argan oil.

The Argan fruit fall from tree in the months of July and August.

The ripening process of the Argan fruit changes its color and feel from the olive-like green fleshy fruit into yellow, then finally into a reddish dark brown dry fruit, and takes between 1 & 2 weeks in time, depending on the weather.

After that, the Argan nut becomes useable and can be processed to extract the Argan oil aka Argania Spinosa oil.

Today, the intensive commitment of the Argan oil production and sale through the women-run cooperatives, has a noticeable socioeconomic impact on a big part of the population (estimated to around 3 million people) living in the main Argan oil-producing areas.

It provides the major source of a fair and steady income mostly for local women working in the traditional Argan oil cooperatives.

Argan kernels close-up

Extracted Argan kernels size as opposed to the size of the dried Argan fruits (in the background).

Argan Tree

Comments

    1. Hi Nick,

      Thank you for stopping by.

      To your question, the Argan fruit pulp isn’t edible to humans. It’s used to feed cattle etc..

      Cheers!

  2. Reply

    Interesting tree and oil.

    I can barely read the lettering because they are so dim. Could you darken the letters, please?

    Thank you.

  3. Reply

    #superfood for your hair. Argan Oil is a miracle Oil for all human hair. Hair care treatment with organic Argan oil is 100% all natural.

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    1. Author

      Here’s an image to clarify it a little more: (the pulp I’m talking about is marked in orange color)
      Argan fruit anatomy

  6. Reply

    Thank you for your site.
    I may have a use for the dried argan pulp.
    Can u comment on just what u do with the pulp normally pls?

    Also what would be its possible availability & possible cost per kg.

    1. Author

      Hi Glen,

      Thanks for stopping by.
      The Argan fruit pulp (NOT the hard shell) is mainly used as cattle feed as well as in some traditional medicine recipes.
      What did you intend to use it for?
      About the availability and price, you’ll receive an email from us shortly.

      I hope this helps 🙂

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