Greece and the World Celebrate UNESCO World Olive Tree Day

Details: Written by Lisa Radinovsky; Category: News; Published: 26 November 2021

In 2019, UNESCO officially declared November 26 World Olive Tree Day and added it to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The International Olive Council embraced the holiday, which is also known as World Olive Day or World Olive and Olive Oil Day. The olive tree and its products are now celebrated on this day with events in many countries.

UNESCO emphasizes the importance of the olive tree, whose branch has long “symbolized peace, wisdom and harmony.” Of course, its significance is not merely symbolic: “Conserving and cultivating the olive tree is a growing imperative as the world combats and adapts to climate change. The protection of cultural and natural heritage, including landscapes, is at the heart of UNESCO’s mission…. The aim of World Olive Tree Day is to encourage the protection of the olive tree and the values it embodies, in order to appreciate its important social, cultural, economic and environmental significance to humanity.”

In a speech in honor of World Olive Day this year, European Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski pointed out that the olive sector provides “consumers in Europe and [all] over the world with a healthy, safe and sustainable product.” Olive products’ economic importance in olive growing countries is obvious; their culinary significance is almost immeasurable.

With acclaim for the traditional Mediterranean diet justly growing in recent years, there have been efforts to quantify the advantages of the olive oil central to it. Discussed from ancient times to the present, the health benefits of olives and olive oil have been the focus of numerous recent scientific studies. Scientists have found evidence that extra virgin olive oil helps us fight off heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol, and much more.

Researchers have also shown that olive trees can help the environment. According to the International Olive Council, for every liter of virgin olive oil produced, 10.65 kg of carbon dioxide are removed from the atmosphere. Olive groves are carbon sinks: a hectare of olive trees can offset the carbon footprint of one person, and world olive oil production absorbs the amount of carbon dioxide that a city the size of Hong Kong produces.

To celebrate World Olive Tree Day this year, the International Olive Council and the government of the country of Georgia organized an international online seminar focused on trends in the international olive oil market. Speakers include representatives from the Georgian government, the International Olive Council, the European Commission, the North American Olive Oil Association, and the Culinary Institute of America.

In Greece, a number of events have been planned. For example, the Greek branch of the nonprofit organization Women in Olive Oil sponsored online talks by Greek olive oil experts on November 25. Speakers reviewed the group’s work as well as the situation in their country’s olive sector, with its 127 million olive trees producing olive oil and 37 million trees producing table olives, according to agronomist Antonis Paraskevopoulos.

To celebrate World Olive Day, the cultural foundation Routes of the Olive Tree has been working with other organizations to raise awareness about the Kalamata olive “with its wonderful taste and valuable nutritional value.” These groups are using posters, announcements, olive bread, the documentary The Olive Oil of Messinia and the film Bread and Olives “to promote Kalamata as a gastronomic destination by utilizing the internationally renowned Kalamata olive.”

In Rethymno, Crete, the Organoleptic Laboratory is welcoming the public to an open house to honor the olive tree and its products on November 26, with a tour of its facilities (in Greek) and a tasting of award-winning olive oils (following the government’s guidelines related to COVID-19).

In Athens, the Filaios Friends of Olive Oil Society points out that olive products affect every Greek family in one way or another, with November the main period of olive production in Greece. As the Greek olive harvest and production of fresh olive oil continues, citizens of the country and the world are celebrating the olive tree’s priceless contribution to culture, cuisine, nutrition, health, the economy, and the earth.

All businesses, organizations, and competitions involved with Greek olive oil, the Mediterranean diet, and/or agrotourism or food tourism in Greece, as well as others interested in supporting Greeks working in these sectors, are invited to consider the advertising and sponsorship opportunities on the Greek Liquid Gold: Authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oil website. The only wide-ranging English-language site focused on news and information from the Greek olive oil world, it has helped companies reach consumers in more than 215 countries around the globe.

Comments

Links to Recent News Articles

Revised estimations and minor adjustments for global olive oil production in 2024/25 by 4E
Projections for the coming crop year's worldwide olive oil production from Olivenews.
Olive Trees on Corfu Face Threat from Wood-Eating Insects, Experts Rule Out Xylella
"A lab in Athens ruled out Xylella fastidiosa as the cause of the dieback in central and northern Corfu groves."
Olive oil under threat of EU ban
It is expected that "an upcoming European regulation will force olive oil producers to change their production methods or see their product labeled as unfit for consumption."
Farmers in Greece Witness the Impacts of Climate Change After Historically Low Harvest
"Farmers and millers throughout Greece have reported that climate change is making it increasingly difficult to produce award-winning extra virgin olive oil."
Olive oil companies join forces to export
"Investment fund SMERemediumCap of Nikolaos Karamouzis and Inspiring Earth of Konstantinos Antonopoulos are creating an export-minded giant in the Greek olive oil sector via a triple acquisition, with the total investment amounting to 10 million euros. By forming a joint company, which will acquire the majority package of the companies Latzimas SA, Sitia Oils-Lasitia SA and Olympian Green International SA, a new, powerful group in olive oil products is being created."
Promising Outlook for Olive Oil Production in 2024/25
"A global production of 3,200,000 tons restores the normal averages of the past, which will push market prices lower than today's levels."
Breaking away from selling olive oil in bulk
Greek olive oil producers interviewed for a major Greek daily newspaper explain how it's possible that "the Italians export 150% of the olive oil they produce" and discuss their efforts to bottle more Greek olive oil, rather than exporting it in bulk.
World market of olive oil and table olives – Data from April 2024
The International Olive Council's "overview of the latest sector statistics, including an update on olive oil prices, trends in international trade in olive oil and table olives, and producer prices for olive oil."
Greek Court Rules Kalamon Olives May Use Kalamata Brand
After years of debate over use of the word "Kalamata" for Kalamon variety table olives, the Greek supreme court "rejected an appeal by Messenia-based growers that only they could use the Kalamata branding, an appellation worth €200 million in exports."
Global Production May Exceed Expectations, but Not Enough to Move Prices
"Analysts predict climate change will result in new price dynamics, with high-quality extra virgin olive oil and other market segments behaving differently."
A Dismal Harvest Concludes in Greece
"With the country’s olive oil production almost halved compared to last year, record prices at origin have shaped a market searching for equilibrium."
Oil crisis: How olive farmers are adapting to climate change to preserve a cultural commodity
"Changing weather patterns are making it harder to grow olives across Europe, increasing consumer prices and threatening growers’ livelihoods." Farmers, researchers, and government officials are considering what to do about this.
Greece to Provide Work Permits to 30,000 Migrants to Curb Labor Shortage
Costas Vasilopoulos describes the Greek government's plan to reduce the shortage of agricultural laborers in the country.
Milestone in Olive Oil History: Auctioning “extrissimo” at €10.11/kg
One olive oil price record after another was broken in 2023; here is one from near the end of the year.
Farmers in Greece Call for Subsidies Amid Low Yields
"In Greece, olive growers and oil producers gathered outside regional government buildings nationwide, seeking financial aid to cope with this year’s extremely poor olive harvest."
“Along with Athena, you have to move your hand” (God helps them, that help themselves) was the message from 4E on World Olive Day
With this year's World Olive Day dedicated to the role of women, the 4E society awarded several Greek women for their special contributions to olive growing, and then discussed culture, environmental protection, olive oil quality, the health-nutritional value of olive oil and table olives, and whether olive oil is a luxury.
Production Soaring Expenses Strain Producers in Southern Europe
"Olive oil producers in Spain, Italy and Greece are grappling with challenges that threaten the viability of the sector."
Two Greek PDO Olive Oils Receive Protection in India
"Kalamata and Sitia Lasithiou Kritis extra virgin olive oils have been registered as in India to protect them from imitations."
As price of olive oil soars, chainsaw-wielding thieves target Mediterranean’s century-old trees
More bad news about thefts in Greece: branches and even entire trees are being stolen, as well as olives.
Global Olive Oil Production Set for Second Straight Year of Decline
"The world’s seven largest olive oil-producing countries are expected to yield 1.97 million tons in the 2023/24 crop year, 23 percent below the average of the previous four campaigns."
High-Priced Olive Oil Fuels Thefts in Greece, Farmers Respond
Concerns about olive oil production, consumption, prices, and theft continues in Greece.
Cretan farmers combat rising olive theft with GPS technology
With olive oil's price higher than ever before, theft of oil and olives is a concern; this technology may help combat the problem.
Pricing Milestone: Fresh Greek Olive Oil Sells at 9.25€/kg
Some of the earliest harvest Greek extra virgin olive oil has sold for an astonishing price.
‘They don’t go for jewellery any more’: Olive oil theft on the rise in Greece
With olive oil prices 200% higher than last year in Greece due to climate-change induced shortages, theft of olive oil is increasing.
Tons of Olive Oil Stolen in Greece as Price of ‘Liquid Gold’ Skyrockets
Dozens of tons of olive oil were stolen from an olive oil farming cooperative's warehouse in Polygyros, Halkidiki; it is valued at over 370,000 euros.
Olive oil producers call for investigation into produce heist
"Twenty five olive oil producers who stored their production in an agricultural cooperative in Polygyros, northern Greece, from where it recently disappeared have filed criminal charges against unknown persons with the security police asking authorities to investigate how this happened and who is behind it."
Storms in Greece Flood Olive Groves, Damage Trees
As Costas Vasilopoulos writes, some olive trees were damaged by the rain and hailstorms in Greece that devastated the central part of the country with unprecedented flooding.
Unprecedented Heat Sparks More Wildfires Across Greece
As Costas Vasilopoulos writes, "Around 4,500 hectares of olive groves have been burned in wildfires across the country. The government promises aid, but farmers want something else."
In Greece, Olive Oil Remains Absent from Restaurant and Tavern Tables
Olive Oil Times recently expanded on an earlier Greek Liquid Gold article about olive oil on restaurant tables in Greece.
The global price of olive oil hit a 26-year high: Drought in Spain and elsewhere in the Mediterranean is stressing supply
"Heat and drought in the Mediterranean are harming production of olive oil, causing its price to spike," although "Greece is expected to boost its olive oil yield as the center of olive production moves eastward, thanks to rains and relatively mild temperatures."
Climate Change Threatens Chalkidiki Table Olive Producers, Research Indicates
Recent research in Greece shows that the expected effects of climate change should concern olive producers in the northeastern area of Chalkidiki.
Greece’s New CAP Plan Approved By European Commission
According to Costas Vasilopoulos, "the European Commission has approved Greece’s national strategic plan, which aligns with the latest revision of the E.U.’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)."
Olive Oil Production Gives Back to Environment More than it Takes
The latest research indicates that the carbon sink effect from olive trees in the biomass and soil is much higher than greenhouse gas emissions from production. (July 8, 2016)
Europe Rolls Out New Rules Governing Olive Oil Quality
Important news for olive oil bottlers about new European regulations.
Greek Prime Minister Pledges to Restore Amfissa Olive Grove
As the article says, "Konstantinos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister, has pledged to restore the Amfissa olive grove, one of several agricultural territories of the country that suffered extensive damages from wildfires in the summer."
Bulk Exports from Greece Help Fuel the Italian Olive Oil Industry
A consideration of the role Greek olive oil plays in the Italian olive oil sector.
The Bid to Boost Olive Oil Quality on Crete
This article includes a very interesting video with scenes from an olive oil tasting lab, olive groves at harvest time, and a modern olive mill, as well as comments from several Cretans who work with olive oil. (Click on the CC button for English captions if you don't understand the Greek.)
Greek olive oil going Italian
"Local producers prefer to export their product in bulk to Italy without standardizing it."
Thousands of Olive Trees Donated to Restore Groves of Ancient Olympia
"More than 130,000 olive saplings have been donated to farmers in the area surrounding Ancient Olympia in the northwest Peloponnese, replacing some of the hundreds of thousands that burned in last summer’s devastating wildfires."
Flames Engulf the Ancient Olive Grove of Amfissa
"According to initial estimates, 30,000 to 40,000 trees were destroyed in fires that swept through some of the oldest olive groves in Greece."
Hellenic Center of Excellence for Health and Wellness Launches on Crete
"The Hellenic Center of Excellence for Health and Wellness, a non-profit initiative aimed at promoting Greek culture with a focus on the plant-based Mediterranean Diet, one of the world’s healthiest eating plans, was launched" on Crete in May.
Greece Registers Four PDO and PGI Olive Oils as Intellectual Property
"The Greek extra virgin olive oils were registered with an international organization that protects the product from imitation and counterfeiters in 56 countries."
Campaign Aims to Replant Olive Trees of Olympia
An international nonprofit group is leading a fundraising campaign that aims to help replant olive trees after major fires destroyed olive groves in Ancient Olympia last summer. To find out how you can help, see https://olympia-trees.com/.
Greeks Are Consuming Less Extra Virgin Olive Oil
"Greeks are among the top per capita consumers of olive oil in the world but have cut back on the highest grade." Based on an article about a 2020 survey in Greece, this report discusses various opinions, practices, and levels of knowledge about olive oil.
Producers on Crete Look to DNA Analysis to Add Value
"Local producers have joined forces with scientists In Chania, Crete, to identify, analyze and transfer the DNA identity of olive oil from the field to the bottle, achieving authenticity and traceability for their local products."
Producers in Greece Generate Electricity with Olive Mill Wastewater
"Producers can save money and be more sustainable by shipping olive mill wastewater to local biogas production plants." This article discusses the current advantages and limitations of this plan in Greece.
'Elaiolado Makris' Gets PDO Status
New PDO and PGI designations from the European Union recognize this unique extra virgin olive oil's distinctive characteristics and specific origin in Thrace, northeastern Greece.
Dimitra Alieos talks to Vasilis Zampounis about the strong and weaker aspects regarding the place of Greek olive oil in the international market
An in-depth, informative article based on an interview with an international expert. It includes worldwide production estimates for the 2019/20 crop year.
Olive Oil is Key to Promoting Plant-Forward Diets, Report Says
Daniel Dawson writes that the Culinary Institute of America and International Olive Council "believe that increasing olive oil consumption is a complementary goal to promoting a shift toward plant-forward cooking," which could help fight climate change.
Researchers Isolate EVOO Component With Potential Antihypertensive Properties
"Researchers from the Department of Pharmacognosy of Athens University in Greece, have managed to detect and isolate a constituent of extra virgin olive oil that could act against high blood pressure."
14 Greek Olive Varieties to Be State Certified
"The certification process for 14 varieties of olive is underway at the state-run Olive Tree Institute of ELGO Demetra based in Chania, a development that Greek Nurseries are watching with great interest but also caution as it could satisfy their long-standing demand for certified propagating material."
Man With Prostate Cancer Placing His Beliefs on Power of Olive Oil
Interested for years in "the health benefits of phenolic compounds in olive oil, ... [Athan] Gadanidis had told Dr. Magiatis that they needed a human subject to test the benefits of olive oil in treating prostate cancer. Ironically, he would be that subject himself."
A New ‘Greek Mark’ for Olives and Olive Oil
"Seven companies in Greece that produce table olives and extra virgin and virgin olive oil were the first in the country to display a 'Greek Mark' on their labeling, part of a project to distinguish Greek products in foreign markets."
Olive oil’s health benefits explored at Yale School of Public Health symposium
This is an interesting summary of many of the topics covered at the recent conference at Yale School of Public Health, which convened a committee to plan a new olive institute at this prestigious American university.
Greek Professor, Team Invent Mini Olive-Oil Mill, Quality Tester
A Greek professor’s invention helps olive farmers decide the best time to harvest their olives to optimize the health benefits and quantity of their olive oil.
New Project in Greece Aims to Decrypt Domestic Olive Cultivars
As Olive Oil Times reports, "Greece seeks to analyze the genome of olives to safekeep its cultivars and make better products."
Appreciating olive oil can start at any age, the younger, the better
Alice Alech writes, "Learning to appreciate olive oil at an early age is an advantage to young adults; it puts them on the right path towards a healthy lifestyle later on.... Research carried out in Greece on 190 high school students show that teenagers once they are made aware of the sensory properties, and the analysis of extra virgin olive oil can distinguish between extra virgin olive oil and defective oil. The results also showed that the young adults aged between 13 and 15 years old were able to recognize rancid and muddy sediment in olive oil." (November 28, 2016)
Sustainable Olive Oil Production Can Help Mitigate Climate Change
"The International Olive Council attended the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22) to present research on sustainable olive oil production." (November 18, 2016)
New Method for Identifying Olive Cultivars
The identification of olive cultivars according to the appearance of leaves and fruit is expected to serve as the basis for a phone app and contributions to a new international olive tree database. (November 4, 2016)
Fight on to save Med diet from extinction
“[G]lobal experts warn the Mediterranean diet, prized for its health benefits, is losing so much ground to the fast food culture that the decline may be irreversible.” (July 11, 2016)

News