Zouila — the historic agro-industrial cooperative of Mahdia

In brief — Zouila is an agricultural and industrial cooperative from Mahdia, founded in 1957. Specialized in oil refining and olive-pomace oil extraction, it also produces vegetable oils, soaps and glycerin. Positioned on a mass-market / industrial segment rather than premium extra virgin olive oil, it is present in Tunisian retail and exports to the EU according to the standards of the International Olive Council (IOC).

Overview

Zouila is the brand of the Société Mutuelle Centrale de Services Agricoles et Industriels Zouila (Zouila Agricultural and Industrial Cooperative), founded in 1957.

It is based in Mahdia, Tunisia, in the industrial zone (Route Boumerdès). It is a historic agro-industrial cooperative whose core business is oil refining and olive-pomace oil extraction, supplemented by soap and glycerin manufacturing.

Founded under mutualist status (Société Mutuelle Centrale de Services Agricoles et Industriels), Zouila belongs to the generation of large Tunisian cooperative structures of the post-independence era. Its model relies on industrial integration: instead of focusing on a single product category, it makes use of the entire chain — from milling to refining, including pomace recovery and the production of derivatives (soaps, glycerin). This profile clearly distinguishes it from premium tasting-oriented brands.

Range & varieties

The documented varieties are Chemlali and Oueslati.

The range produced is broad and goes beyond olive oil alone:

Refined olive oil;
Olive-pomace oil;
Vegetable oils, crude and refined (sunflower, rapeseed, soybean);
Natural soaps (toilet, household, liquid hand soap);
Glycerin.

Note: Zouila's positioning leans more toward refining and pomace oil than toward premium extra virgin olive oil.

Markets & distribution

Based on the available data, Zouila is present on:

Tunisia — local market, with a presence in supermarkets (such as Carrefour Tunisia);
Export to the European Union — in compliance with IOC standards (International Olive Council).

Certifications & awards

On the certifications side, Zouila obtained the ISO 9002 standard in 2001 and declares compliance with the standards of the International Olive Council (IOC).

On the awards side: not publicly documented in the available sources. (To be verified.)

Positioning

Zouila positions itself as a historic agro-industrial cooperative (mass-market / industrial segment), specialized in oil refining and pomace oil extraction more than in premium extra virgin olive oil. Its diversified offering — vegetable oils, soaps, glycerin — reflects an integrated industrial model, rooted in Tunisian mass consumption and EU export to IOC standards.

This industrial identity is both its strength and its specialization: volume capacity, mastery of refining, pomace valorization and an established presence in retail. On the other hand, it does not belong to the world of tasting extra virgin olive oil, rich in polyphenols and competition-awarded — a segment carried by other Tunisian brands. For a buyer, understanding this distinction is essential in order to align sourcing with the intended use: industrial table oil on one side, premium extra virgin on the other.

Note — Create or source your own Tunisian olive oil brand

Zouila illustrates the industrial and cooperative side of the Tunisian sector: refining, pomace, volumes. A very different profile from premium brands — and proof that the Tunisian terroir covers the whole value chain, from industrial bulk to tasting extra virgin.

If your project is aimed more at the high end and differentiation, Zitouna Export supports you in sourcing a Tunisian extra virgin olive oil and launching your brand:

Private label — develop your range, from sourcing to packing;
Training — master quality, categories (extra virgin vs refined) and certifications;
Quote — receive a proposal tailored to your volumes and markets.

We respect Zouila and the work of Tunisian cooperatives: our role is to help you build your own project, without copying or disparaging anyone.

FAQ

1. How long has the Zouila cooperative existed? Zouila was founded in 1957: it is one of the historic agro-industrial cooperatives of Tunisia.

2. Where is Zouila based? In Mahdia, Tunisia, in the industrial zone (Route Boumerdès).

3. Does Zouila produce premium extra virgin olive oil? Its core business is oil refining and pomace oil extraction, with a mass-market / industrial positioning rather than premium.

4. Which olive varieties does Zouila use? Chemlali and Oueslati.

5. What does Zouila make besides olive oil? Pomace oil, vegetable oils (sunflower, rapeseed, soybean), natural soaps and glycerin.

6. Is Zouila certified? Yes: it obtained the ISO 9002 standard in 2001 and declares compliance with IOC standards.

7. Where can you find Zouila products? In supermarkets in Tunisia (such as Carrefour Tunisia) and for export to the European Union.

8. Has Zouila won any awards? Not publicly documented in the available sources. (To be verified.)

9. Does Zitouna Export distribute Zouila oil? No. Zitouna Export is a supplier and private-label partner in Tunisian olive oil: we help you source your oil and create your brand — request a quote.

Would you like to source a Tunisian olive oil or launch your own brand? Request your quote.