France

Feb. 19, 2024

How One Producer Deals with Rising Volumes and A Shorter Harvest in France

In the South of France, the producer behind Mas des Bories manages a bumper harvest and a shorter window to mill.

Feb. 13, 2024

Local Mils in France Are All the Rage

An ample harvest and high prices have led to a surge in activity and investments in community mills.

Jan. 29, 2024

Meet the Man Trying to Transform the Olive Sector in France

Yannick Masmondet is working with farmers to plant 50,000 hectares of olive groves on unused agricultural land, expanding national production while diversifying farmer portfolios.

Jan. 3, 2024

In South West France, Plans to Make More Olive Oil

Officials in Lot-et-Garonne plan to take advantage of the favorable climate and rich water resources to increase production.

Dec. 12, 2023

Production Rebound Still Expected in France After Mixed Harvest

Production could rise to 4,400 tons, though some producers are seeing worse yields than last year.

Nov. 20, 2023

Languedoc Extra Virgin Olive Oil Receives PDO Certification

Made from the local Lucques and Olivière varieties, Languedoc becomes France’s ninth extra virgin olive oil to receive Protected Designation of Origin status.

Nov. 15, 2022

Award-Winning Producer on Corsica Stays Optimistic Despite Island's Challenges

The challenges of high-quality olive oil production are accentuated on an island, Emile Borel-Berta told us. Still, the NYIOOC award-winning producer is confident about the future.

Nov. 14, 2022

Tourist Train in Provence Partially Fueled by Olive-Pit Biofuel

The vintage steam train is experimenting with fuel made out of olive pits, which is more environmentally friendly and cheaper than coal.

Nov. 14, 2022

French Scientists and Health Professionals Reiterate Support for Nutri-Score

A Change.org petition for mandatory European adoption of Nutri-Score has received more than 35,000 signatures. It comes shortly after an open letter failed to yield results.

Nov. 2, 2022

After Algorithm Update, French Cheese Producers Renew Criticism of Nutri-Score

Cheese producers protested against Europe’s mandatory adoption of Nutri-Score after an algorithm update resulted in lower scores for some cheeses.

Oct. 6, 2022

Farmers in France Confirm Grim Predictions as Harvest Gets Underway

Heat and drought led to premature olive drops across southern France. The yield is expected to fall by 50 percent compared to last year.

Sep. 20, 2022

France Unlikely to Eradicate Xylella, Report Finds

Auditors said delays in infected plant eradication, an uncoordinated effort to identify disease vectors and lack of control measures were the reasons for their conclusion.

Aug. 18, 2022

Europe Confronts Worst Drought in 500 Years, Officials Say

Countries in southern and western Europe are bearing the bunt of the drought, with varying impacts on olive farmers and society writ large.

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Sep. 16, 2020

Xylella Fastidiosa Arrives in Third French Region

Authorities have implemented containment protocols after discovering an infected lavender plant at a gardening store in Occitanie. The southern region is home to about one-quarter of France’s olive oil production.

Jul. 6, 2020

France’s Harvest Yield Lower Than Expected

Producers harvested about 2,500 fewer tons of olive oil than expected. A combination of growers entering an off-year and poor weather conditions were blamed for the significant drop in production.

May. 20, 2020

Winning NYIOOC a 'Matter of Pride' for French Producers

French brands earned a record-high eight awards at the 2020 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, including six Golds and two Silvers.

Mar. 30, 2020

EU Grants PDO Status to Olive Oils of Provence

Provençal olive oil represents distinctive organoleptic characteristics, unique chemistry and strong historical ties to the land.

Feb. 19, 2020

Deadly Tomato Virus Confirmed at French Farm

The tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) has already appeared in Spain, Italy, Germany, U.K., Netherlands, U.S. and Mexico.

Dec. 4, 2019

Corsica Producer Fears Mediterranean Culture Under Threat

Producers in Corsica are at the mercy of policy measures to contain Xylella fastidiosa on the island. Some fear these new policies are damaging the island's olive-producing culture.

Oct. 3, 2019

Spanish Olive Oil on Final List of Retaliatory Tariffs on E.U. Goods

Along with some Spanish olive oils, certain types of table olives from both France and Spain will also face a 25 percent tariff on U.S. imports. Olive oils from Italy, Portugal and Greece will be unaffected.

Sep. 19, 2019

Scientists Find Earliest Evidence of Olive Oil in Central Europe

Early Celts in the French region of Burgundy imported olive oil from the Mediterranean around 500 BCE, a new study shows. The find is the earliest evidence of olive oil use in Central Europe.

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