This newsletter introduces the new International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives which came into force at the beginning of January and seeks greater participation from importing countries, explains that US imports of olive oil have increased from 30 to 38% of world imports over the last two decades, provides details on trends in US olive oil imports, describes the 2015/16 world olive oil and table olive trade, and discusses olive oil producer prices in major producing nations in December (all increased compared to the previous December).
Includes information about world trade and producer prices for olive oil, as well as production and consumption amounts for the past year and estimates for the current harvest year. The IOC reports that Greece produced 320,000 metric tons of olive oil in 2015/16 and estimates that it will produce 260,000 this year. There is also a discussion of why "olive oil is good for your health and the environment," which was explained at COP22, the Climate Change Convention.
Greek olive oil production may end up around 190,000-200,000 metric tons this harvest season. Prices are good for producers now, but it is unclear how they will be later. (November 24, 2016)
Vassilis Zampounis is hopeful because of recent rains and relatively good olive oil prices. (November 2, 2016)
In its latest Market Newsletter, the International Olive Council (IOC) discusses increases in Spanish olive oil exports, American and Chinese imports, IOC participation in the COP22 climate change conference, an international seminar on Xylella Fastidiosa, and world trade in olive oil and table olives, including price fluctuations, for the 2015/16 crop year.
In its latest Market Newsletter, the International Olive Council provides estimates for the upcoming harvest year's olive oil production in major producing nations (with one of the highest estimates for Greece's production), as well as provisional data about production, imports, exports, and prices for the past year.
The olive fly, a heat wave, and a drought are likely to lead to a reduced production of 200,000 to 250,000 metric tons of olive oil in Greece this year. (September 20, 2016)
Three high phenolic Greek olive oils have been donated for medical research into their health benefits. The companies that produce them are noteworthy in other ways, as well. (August 16, 2016)
Branches from the Monumental Olive Tree of Vouves have been used in ceremonies at each summer Olympics since the Athens Games in 2004. The wreath cutting ceremony was accompanied by an ancient dance ritual. (August 1, 2016)
A report on the 27th Extraordinary Session of the Council of Members of the IOC in Hammamet, Tunisia July 11-16, 2016.
Vasilis "Dimas is among a group of olive oil farmers, pressers and distributors who believe high quality, artisanal olive varieties will help reclaim the ancient fruit from commodification and fraud.... Already, roughly 80% of the olive oil produced in Greece each year is of the higher quality, extra virgin variety." Many Greek producers are aiming even higher than that. (June 28, 2016)
The International Olive Council wishes to "highlight the role of olive orchards as allies against climate change." They add, "olive oil is both healthy and good for the environment."
The Oleocanthal International Society Conference and Olympia Health & Nutrition Awards featured breakthroughs in olive oil research, a new olive tree varietal, and an olive oil competition for high-phenolic oils. (June 10, 2016)
The third Food Expo Greece took place near Athens, attracting 970 exhibitors, 153 of them exhibiting olive oil, plus 55,000 trade visitors, including 1,200 from 55 countries outside Greece. (March 30, 2016)
“While locals have long claimed that Greece produces the best olive oil in the world, it’s now being recognized as a premium product beyond the country’s borders.” (January 21, 2016)
Sevitel president Grigoris Antoniadis expects a good year for Greek olive oil, with production and price levels returning to normal. He discusses anticipated changes in taxation that could affect the industry. (December 22, 2015)
Greek unionists and politicians have belatedly begun to debate the European Commission proposal to increase duty-free imports of Tunisian olive oil into the EU. (November 30, 2015)
Michelakis, a scientific advisor of SEDIK or ACOM, the Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities, and a former director of the Olive Institute of Chania, discussed the status of the olive oil sector in Greece. (November 27, 2015)
Preliminary estimates call for an average output of Greek olive oil with excellent quality. (November 20, 2015)
Cretan olive oil exports grew by 518 percent in the first half of 2015, helping to double Crete’s total exports. (October 26, 2015)
