New edible oil star
Latest news from Innova Market Insights reveals that, when it comes to edible oils, a new star may be emerging.
According to the market research company, in the 12 months to March 2010, nearly 1,000 edible oils were launched, the majority of which were standards such as olive oil, sunflower oil, soy oil and blended products, supported by specialities such as grapeseed, walnut, avocado and macadamia. Within that, however, was a relative newcomer –argan oil.
“Product activity is still extremely limited, but there are definite signs of rising interest in the use of argan oil – also known as Moroccan Gold – and a move out of the cosmetics and supplements market and into the culinary oils sector,” observes an Innova spokesman. “Argan oil is made from the nuts of the Argan tree, which grows only in south western Morocco, with its small and specific growing area making it one of the rarest oils in the world. It has traditionally been used by the indigenous Berber population in cooking and in cosmetics, but has been increasingly coming to the notice of the outside world due to its potential as a cosmetic and nutritional ingredient, as it is very rich in unsaturated fatty acids and has a high level of natural tocopherols (vitamin E), phenols, phenolic acids, carotenes and squalene.”
