Olive Oil Business News in the European Union

Europe Reviews Olive Oil Quality Benchmark

by Julie Butler

Commissioner Dacian Cioloş announced a review in response to a call by Italian parliament members for the alkyl esters parameter for EVOO to be lowered.

Posted on February 02 2012

Council Offers Grants for Olive Oil Promotion in Member Countries

by Julie Butler

The International Olive Council has called for applications for grants to co-fund activities promoting olive oil and table olives in its member countries.

Posted on February 01 2012

Spain Looks for Solutions on Olive Oil Prices, Quality

by Julie Butler

Spain is pushing for European Commission aid to bulk store extra virgin olive oil until its price improves and is debating other measures to improve quality and sustain the ailing sector.

Posted on January 22 2012

Unaprol President Urges European Commission to Lower Alkyl Ester Limits

by Julie Butler

Massimo Gargano, president of Unaprol, Italy's largest consortium of Italian olive oil producers, responded to consumers' concerns in the wake of 'Made in Italy' mislabeling claims.

Posted on January 08 2012

Olive Oil Prices in Spain Extend Historic Lows at Year-End

by Charlie Higgins

Falling prices, decreased production and poor sales have left Spain's olive oil sector in a state of disarray, though government is working to develop reparative initiatives.

Posted on January 06 2012

More Claims of ‘Made in Italy’ Labeling Lies

by Julie Butler

China is scrutinizing olive oil arriving from Italy while Spain raises fears of wider market manipulation in the wake of new claims of fraud involving Italian olive oil.

Posted on December 30 2011

Greeks Turn to Lower Quality Olive Oil During Crisis

by Costas Vasilopoulos

During the current financial crisis, demand for first quality standardized olive oil has declined in Greece. The explanation relies in the cuts to wages and the limitation of household resources in general.

Posted on December 28 2011

Spanish Eating More Butter, Less Olive Oil

by Julie Butler

Butter consumption is increasing in Spain as people tighten belts and eat breakfast at home, instead of cafes. Meanwhile, sales of vegetable oils, particularly olive and sunflower oil, have fallen.

Posted on December 19 2011

Global Olive Oil Consumption Forecast to Climb, Led by U.S., China, Brazil

by Julie Butler

World olive oil consumption will climb 3.2 percent in 2011/12, according to the Olive Council’s November newsletter.

Posted on December 14 2011

Study of Greek Olive Oil Sector Urges Producers to ‘Standardize’

by Costas Vasilopoulos

A new study finds weaknesses in the Greek olive oil industry and suggests ways to overcome the problems by achieving economies of scale.

Posted on December 13 2011

Córdoba Leading in Use and Production of Olive Biomass

by Julie Butler

Byproducts of olive oil production have made the Córdoba province Spain’s leader in biomass energy production and innovation. Material from the olive oil sector, including pomace and prunings, is Spain's most used biomass source.

Posted on December 07 2011

Still Lower Prices, Black Olives for Breakfast in Latest IOC Data

by Julie Butler

Worldwide trade in olive oil is up 10 percent on last year - an increase of 120,222 tons, according to figures just released by the International Olive Council.

Posted on November 13 2011

‘No Financial Difficulties’ For Spanish Olive Oil Giant Hojiblanca, CEO Says

by Julie Butler

Hojiblanca plans to double its turnover to €1 billion in five years. Antonio Luque, former farmer and now Hojiblanca’s managing director, vowed to “keep on growing.”

Posted on November 03 2011

Gruppo Pieralisi Powers World’s Largest Olive Oil Mill in Jaén

by Lucy Vivante

The mill is owned by the 1,673 members of the FAECA Cooperative and, with the 12 lines working around the clock, can process 2,500 tons of olive oil every day.

Posted on November 02 2011

Industry Group Reports Sharp Rise in Spanish Olive Oil Exports

by Julie Butler

Spain has doubled its olive oil exports in the last decade and now sends 60 percent of its production abroad, according to figures released by the trade association Interprofesional del Aceite de Oliva Español.

Posted on October 26 2011