Africa / Middle East
Feb. 6, 2026
Morocco’s Olive Harvest Races Ahead as Rain, Cold and Labor Shortages Tighten the Window
Moroccan growers are accelerating the harvest after a delayed start and weeks of rain and cold. Labor shortages and higher wages are squeezing timelines even as extraction rates rise and retail olive oil prices fall.
Feb. 4, 2026
Jordan Expands Tunisian Olive Oil Imports as Drought Squeezes Local Supply
Jordan has approved imports of 10,000 tons of Tunisian olive oil as the country faces sharply reduced production following prolonged drought.
Dec. 1, 2025
Lebanon’s Growers Struggle as Conflict, Climate Pressures Deepen
Lebanon’s 2025/2026 olive harvest is unfolding under extreme strain, with drought, soaring costs and persistent military tensions in the south driving yields sharply lower. Farmers describe a season marked by insecurity, water scarcity and rapidly rising prices.
Nov. 17, 2025
Amid the Hum of Olive Mills, Afrin Farmers Work Under Threat
In Afrin, the hum of olive presses returns, but unease lingers as Turkey-backed factions continue to influence Syria’s main olive-growing region.
Nov. 12, 2025
Report Exposes Extortion and Violence in Syria’s Olive Heartland
Once responsible for a third of Syria’s olive oil, Afrin’s farmers now face illegal levies, intimidation and violence under militia control, according to a new report by Syrians for Truth and Justice.
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 News Briefs
Drought and Low Yields Push Jordan to Explore Olive Oil Imports
Nov. 4, 2025 Producer Profiles
Willow Creek’s Cooperative Approach Brings Stability to Olive Growers
Oct. 24, 2025 News Briefs
Oct. 20, 2025 News Briefs
Sep. 29, 2025
Moroccan Olive Growers Hope for Record Harvest and Exports
Morocco's olive season is off to a strong start, with favorable weather conditions and investments expected to lead to record production and lower prices.
Sep. 26, 2025
Turkish Producer Monsida Eyes Global Markets After Record Harvest
After decades of experience in the olive oil sector, the producer behind Monsida is betting on early harvest endemic monovarietals to break through at home and abroad.
Aug. 21, 2025
Turkey Approves Coal Mining in Olive Groves
The new law, which allows mining operations to take place in olive groves, will make the country's olive sector compete for land with the energy sector.
Aug. 6, 2025
Southern Hemisphere NYIOOC Nears Registration Deadline as September Results Loom
Registration for the Southern Hemisphere edition of the 2025 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition is closing soon, with organizers preparing to reveal award winners beginning in September.
Jul. 23, 2025
Egypt Proposes Geographical Indication for Ras Sedr Olive Oil
Egypt's Ras Sedr region has proposed new GI for local extra virgin olive oil, aiming to add value to production and boost sustainable farming.
Jul. 23, 2025
Turkish Olive Oil Exports to Australia Surge Amid Strategic Trade Push
A Turkish producers' association said bilateral trade talks played a significant role in the 162 percent increase in olve oil exports and the 85 percent rise in table olive exports to Australia.
Jul. 8, 2025
Jordan Launches Campaign to Support Olive Sector
Jordan's Ministry of Agriculture has launched a national campaign to modernize the olive oil sector, focusing on quality, sustainability and public awareness.
Dec. 30, 2024
Iraq Announces Plans to Rejoin Olive Council
The Iraqi parliament is expected to ratify the 2015 International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, a necessary step to rejoining the International Olive Council.
Dec. 16, 2024
Turkey’s Olive Sector Aims for Record $1B in Exports
Olive oil and table olive exports could bring $1 billion to Turkish producers. However, previous export bans have hampered efforts.
Dec. 14, 2024
Political Turmoil Complicates Efforts to Revive Syrian Exports
After overthrowing the autocratic rule of former President Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s new governing coalition said it would enact free-market reforms and stimulate exports.
Nov. 24, 2024
Arrest of CHO Group CEO Shocks Tunisian Olive Oil Sector
An abundant olive harvest in Tunisia has the country's largest olive oil exporter working at full tilt, even as questions linger about the company's chief executive.
Nov. 12, 2024
Jordan Braces for Disappointing Harvest Amid Low Oil Yields
Despite initial hopes for a larger harvest, Jordan now predicts olive production will reach 26,000 metric tons this year, a reduction of 4,000 tons.
Nov. 7, 2024
South African Brands Shine Again at World Competition
Despite the erratic weather and frequent power outages during harvest, producers from South Africa combined to win twelve of the industry's most prestigious quality awards.
Nov. 7, 2024
Turkish Producers Set for Bumper Harvest
In the best-case scenario, officials anticipate a record-breaking harvest of 475,000 tons. However, a lack of rain could curtail the final yield.
Oct. 31, 2024
Turkey Lifts Ban on Bulk Olive Oil Exports
The move comes when stocks are high in Turkey and non-existent in Europe. Another bumper harvest is expected.