Olive Menara

Olive Menara is a modern Moroccan olive variety, developed from the Picholine Marocaine through a national selection program. It was created to improve yield regularity, oil quality, and resistance to environmental stress. Menara is appreciated for its excellent oil productivity, stable yields, and adaptation to intensive cultivation systems-making it one of Morocco’s leading varieties for commercial olive oil production.

Type and Characteristics :

• Botanical name: Olea europaea L.
• Variety name : Menara
• Origin : Selection from Picholine Marocaine
• Fruit type: Medium-sized, oval to slightly elongated
• Color: Green turning black upon ripening
• Oil content : 19–22%
• Oil characteristics: Fruity, balanced oil with medium bitterness and pleasant aroma
• Use: Primarily for oil extraction, but also suitable for table olives
• Ripening period: Mid to late season (December–January)

Region of Cultivation :

• Main regions: Meknès, Taounate, Beni Mellal, Marrakech-Safi, and Tadla plains
• Performs best in semi-arid to Mediterranean climates, under both rainfed and irrigated systems.

Soil Requirements :

• Prefers deep, well-drained loamy or sandy-loam soils
• Tolerates slightly calcareous and rocky soils
• Optimal pH : 0–8.0
• Avoids waterlogged or saline conditions.

Climate and Growing Conditions :

• Climate: Mediterranean to semi-arid
• Temperature: Tolerates high heat and moderate frost
• Rainfall: 400–600 mm/year (irrigation increases productivity)
• Sunlight: Requires full sun for optimal fruiting and oil quality
• Resistance: Better yield regularity than Picholine Marocaine under climatic stress

Agronomic and Technical Features:

• Yield potential: 5–7 tons/ha (irrigated); 3–4 tons/ha (rainfed)
• Oil yield: 17–21%
• Tree vigor: Medium to high
• Productivity: Regular and high; good resistance to alternate bearing
• Pests/Diseases: Tolerant to olive knot (Pseudomonas savastanoi); moderately resistant to peacock spot

Olive Menara is an improved Moroccan cultivar derived from Picholine Marocaine, combining high oil yield, stable production, and adaptability. Grown mainly in semi-arid and Mediterranean zones, it thrives in well-drained soils and under modern cultivation systems. Its balanced oil quality and resistance to climatic variations make Menara a strategic variety for sustainable olive production and export-oriented agribusiness in Morocco.