Business / page 197
Aug. 31, 2020
Mounting Concerns in Greece as Harvest Nears
The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and persistently low olive oil prices remain the biggest worries for producers.
Aug. 31, 2020
Spanish Table Olive Exports to U.S. Fall Further
Table olive exports from Spain to the United States fell by almost a third in the first half of 2020. U.S. tariffs are blamed for the steep drop.
Aug. 31, 2020
Tunisian Exports on Record-Breaking Pace
Tunisia’s National Olive Oil Board attributes the record-setting exports to a bumper crop and impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in Europe.
Aug. 27, 2020 News Briefs
Italian Agricultural Agency’s Olive Oil Purchase Tenders Are Too Low, Farmers Argue
Aug. 27, 2020 Business
Worker Shortages Problematic for Italian Farms as Harvest Nears
Aug. 25, 2020 Business
Europe Removes Tariffs on U.S. Lobsters in Bid to De-Escalate Trade Tensions
Aug. 25, 2020 Europe
Asian Bug May Be Cause of ‘Green Drop’ in Olive Trees, Researchers Find
Aug. 24, 2020 Business
German Chancellor Casts Doubt Over Landmark E.U.-Mercosur Trade Deal
Aug. 24, 2020
Kırkpınar Governor Calls for Cancellation of This Year’s Event
The Covid-19 pandemic originally delayed the 659th edition of the world's oldest sporting event from the first week of July to September. Now the main sponsor and ceremonial head of the event says he no longer supports the tournament taking place.
Aug. 21, 2020
Spain's Farmers Welcome Low Harvest Forecasts
An official for one of Spain’s main agricultural unions argues that steadily rising global consumption paired with a decrease in production may lead to more demand for Spanish olive oil and cause prices to rise.
Aug. 21, 2020
Increased Precision in Europe's New Xylella Fastidiosa Legislation
Along with shrinking the infection and buffer zones, the European Commission also admitted that the deadly plant pathogen could no longer be removed in some regions and called on E.U. member states to intensify their surveillance of the disease.
Aug. 19, 2020
U.S. Rejects E.U. Demand to Drop Tariffs on Agricultural Goods
Tariffs on Spanish olive oil and French and Spanish table olives will remain at 25 percent however, after the U.S. opted not to increase them.
Aug. 19, 2020
Spanish Olive Oil Exports to U.S. Plummet in First Half of 2020
Olive oil exports from Spain to the U.S. dropped by 39 percent in the first half of the year. Farmers and exporters blame tariffs for the decline.
Aug. 17, 2020
'Elaiolado Makris' Gets PDO Status
Extra virgin olive oil from Makri becomes the first agricultural product from the region of Thrace to receive Protected Designation of Origin status from the European Union.
Aug. 12, 2020
Archaeologists Bring Roman Villa Back to Life in Malta
Using 3D modeling technology, archaeologists and researchers have created a virtual replica of the ancient Roman villa and its oil press. Digital tourists can now explore the site and witness millennia-old olive oil production from home.
Aug. 12, 2020
European Farmers Ask E.U. Not to Cut Agricultural Spending from New Budget
Agricultural organizations from across the 27-member trading bloc are lobbying their representatives to restore the sector’s budget. If passed, the latest update of the Common Agricultural Policy will include a 10 percent cut.
Aug. 12, 2020
Italy Pledges €20M to Buy Local Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Families in Need
The move comes after a previous effort to provide extra virgin olive oil to families impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic sparked controversy, with farmers asserting that the effort favored imported oils over Italian ones.
Aug. 12, 2020
Destruction of Olive Trees in West Bank Is an Attack on Palestinian Sovereignty, Activists Say
The vandalism comes at a time when Palestinian olive oil production is being threatened by Israel’s steady acquisition of territory in the West Bank.
Aug. 7, 2020
California Trade Group Rescinds Membership Agreement After Backlash
Forty six member producers – representing a majority of the COOC’s production and revenue – condemned the change to the agreement, arguing it devalued the trade association and California olive oil.
Aug. 7, 2020
Farmers, Politicians Blame Each Other as Wildfires Burn in Puglia
Farmers have blamed the rapid spread of the wildfires on dead olive trees that were killed by Xylella fastidiosa and never removed by local governments. Some politicians have insinuated that these trees are being intentionally burned.
Aug. 4, 2020
Europe Demands U.S. Drop Tariffs After Member States Comply With Airbus Ruling
The European Commission wants the United States to scrap tariffs on a range of manufactured and agricultural goods now that E.U. states found to be providing illegal subsidies to Airbus have complied with WTO demands.
Jul. 30, 2020
In Italy, Farmers Unite to Compete With Multinationals
One of Italy’s largest agricultural firms has agreed to invest $200 million to provide more bargaining power and a larger pool of resources for independent farmers.
Jul. 29, 2020
Despite Challenges, Soap Production Continues in West Bank
While the majority of Palestine’s soap factories have closed after years of occupation and economic hardship, a few have managed to hang on. Giving a modern twist to ancient practices, some producers are not ready to wash their hands of the business yet.