News Briefs
Feb. 2, 2026
Global Olive Oil Quality Takes Center Stage as 2026 NYIOOC Results Begin
With results from the 2026 NYIOOC starting to roll out earlier than usual, the global olive oil sector is watching closely as award-winning producers gain valuable recognition at a critical point in the commercial season.
Jan. 27, 2026
Olive Oil Times Sommelier Certificate Program Returns to London in March
The Olive Oil Times Education Lab will host its five-day Sommelier Certificate Program in London from March 9 to 13, offering immersive instruction in olive oil sensory analysis, production, health, culinary applications and quality assessment.
Jan. 22, 2026
EU Lawmakers Delay Mercosur Trade Deal After Narrow Vote
Less than a week after the EU–Mercosur trade deal was signed, the European Parliament voted to delay its approval pending a legal review.
Jan. 22, 2026
Study Finds Extra Virgin Olive Oil Improves Vascular Function in Hyperlipidemia Patients
A randomized controlled trial in Greece found that extra virgin olive oil consumption improved vascular function and key cardiovascular markers in patients with hyperlipidemia.
Jan. 20, 2026
NYIOOC 2026 Results to Begin Earlier than Previous Years
Competition organizers say the first award winners will be revealed in coming weeks, giving producers more time to leverage recognition during the commercial season
Jan. 20, 2026
EU Audit Finds Gaps in Olive Oil Controls Despite Strong Regulatory Framework
A new audit by the European Court of Auditors finds that while E.U. olive oil rules are robust, uneven enforcement continues to undermine quality and traceability.
Jan. 20, 2026 News Briefs
Spain Announces Expanded Anti-Fraud Controls for Olive Oil Sector
Jan. 14, 2026 News Briefs
Jan. 14, 2026 News Briefs
Jan. 9, 2026 News Briefs
U.S. Dietary Guidelines Put Olive Oil and Table Olives at the Center of Healthy Eating
Jan. 7, 2026 News Briefs
Olive Pit Biochar Shows Promise as Low-Carbon Alternative in Concrete Production
Jan. 5, 2026
EU Delays Mercosur Trade Deal After Italy and France Withhold Support
The European Union has postponed signing its Mercosur free trade agreement after Italy and France declined to back the deal, citing concerns from domestic farmers.
Jan. 5, 2026
Early Data Points to Weaker Olive Oil Production Across Andalusia
Farmers across Andalusia are reporting lower olive harvests and weaker oil yields early in the 2025/26 season, raising fresh doubts about Spain’s production outlook.
Jan. 5, 2026
Europe’s Olive Oil Sector Poised for Recovery Despite Climate and Market Pressures
The European Union’s latest Agricultural Outlook projects a recovery in olive oil production driven by higher yields and orchard modernization, even as climate stress and declining consumption pose long-term challenges.
Dec. 29, 2025
Pakistan’s Olive Gala Signals Growth of a Young Sector
With more than 25,000 visitors, Olive Gala 2025 showcased growing consumer interest, expanding cultivation and rising confidence in Pakistan’s olive oil sector.
Dec. 29, 2025
High-Density Olive Groves Shown to Capture More Carbon Than Traditional Plantings
New research from Spain shows that high-density olive groves capture significantly more carbon dioxide per hectare than traditional plantings, highlighting olive farming’s potential role in climate mitigation.
Dec. 26, 2025
Cobram Estate to Acquire California Olive Ranch in $173.5 Million Deal
The deal will more than double Cobram Estate’s California olive groves and expand its U.S. market presence, while raising concerns about industry consolidation.
Dec. 19, 2025
Heat, Drought and Rising Costs Drive Down Portugal’s Olive Harvest
Official estimates point to a 20 percent decline in Portugal’s olive harvest, with uneven yields across regions and mounting pressure on traditional producers.
Nov. 21, 2025
Revisions Advance for U.S. Olive Oil Promotion Cooperative Plan
A revised plan for a U.S. olive oil promotion cooperative is moving forward as USDA asks for clearer mechanisms to support domestic producers and streamline administration.
Nov. 21, 2025
Somontano Secures PDO Status, Boosting Traditional Producers in Aragón
Producers in Aragón are celebrating the new PDO for Aceite del Somontano, which protects native olive varieties and centuries-old terraced groves shaped by the Pyrenees.
Nov. 17, 2025
Pakistan Establishes National Olive Council
A new National Olive Council will guide Pakistan’s fast-growing sector, as officials push to align with global standards and join the International Olive Council.
Nov. 17, 2025
French Lawmakers Advance Plan to Make Nutri-Score Mandatory
A new vote in the French National Assembly has revived efforts to make Nutri-Score mandatory, triggering debate over exemptions for traditional products and concerns about conflicts with EU rules.
Nov. 17, 2025
The Opportunities and Challenges of Colombia’s Olive Oil Market
Olive oil consumption in Colombia has nearly doubled in five years. Yet importers say consumer education and high logistics costs limit the market’s potential.
Nov. 7, 2025
EU Submits 2040 Climate Goal Ahead of COP30, Targets 90% Emissions Cut
The European Union has submitted its updated climate plan to the United Nations, pledging to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared with 1990 levels.
Nov. 5, 2025
Falling Prices and Fraud Claims Cloud Tunisia’s Olive Oil Boom
Tunisian producers face shrinking margins even as shipments climb, with European lawmakers probing claims of financial irregularities behind collapsing prices.
Nov. 4, 2025
Frequent Olive Oil Consumption Linked to Smaller Waistlines, Study Finds
People who consume extra virgin olive oil nearly every day tend to have smaller waistlines, according to a new study examining the dietary habits of more than 16,000 adults.