Nov. 9, 2020
Italy’s New Lockdown Hits Olive Oil Sector, Again
New Covid containment measures threaten the rise in domestic olive oil consumption that has buoyed the sector.
Nov. 9, 2020
Volunteers Lend a Hand in Italy's Olive Harvest to Help Those in Need
Across Italy, students and volunteers are flocking to the olive groves to help with the harvest. The olive oil they help produce is destined for those in need from Sicily to Lombardy.
Oct. 27, 2020
Italian Farmers Want Something Done About Wild Boars
With the number of wild boars in Italy doubling in the last ten years to two million, farmers' groups are calling again for a comprehensive plan to deal with an old and growing problem.
Oct. 20, 2020 The Best Olive Oils
Oct. 15, 2020 Business
As Extra Virgin Olive Oil Consumption Remains Strong in Italy, Producers Hope Prices Follow
Oct. 12, 2020 Olive Varieties
Oct. 12, 2020 World
Italian Researchers Say Nutri-Score Treats Shoppers 'Like Children'
Oct. 5, 2020 News Briefs
Sep. 28, 2020
Seven Countries Protest Adoption of Nutri-Score at European Meeting
Italy, the Czech Republic, Greece, Latvia, Hungary, Cyprus and Romania asked the E.U. to take a new approach to the subject of front-of-pack labeling.
Sep. 25, 2020
Italy Approves Aid for Mills Hit by 2018 Snow Storm
Italy pledged €8 million to help mills and processing cooperatives affected by the Burian snow storm.
Sep. 23, 2020
Early Estimates Point to Lower Production in Italy
As the harvest gets underway in Sicily, three of Italy’s main agricultural organizations estimate this year’s olive oil harvest will be earlier and smaller than last year.
Sep. 22, 2020
In Italy, Students Return to Study Among Olive Trees
A pioneering outdoor classroom at the Ciuffelli Agricultural Institute provides students with an inspiring setting to resume their studies.
Sep. 16, 2020
Italy Provides €140M in Loans to Producer Groups to Buy Olive Oil, Table Olives
Guaranteed loans are available to producer organizations to buy Italian olive oil and table olives from their members.
Sep. 14, 2020
Bad Weather Ahead of Harvest Dampens Spirits of Italy's Olive Oil Producers
Extreme weather events – ranging from hail storms to flash flooding – have impacted olive growers across Italy. For many farmers, hopes of a promising harvest have washed away.
Sep. 9, 2020
Italy Reiterates Opposition to Nutri-Score Label, Calls for Wider Adoption of Nutrinform
the Italian Minister of Agriculture has been lobbying other E.U. governments on the issue and has called for the protection of foods that she hailed as "pillars of the Mediterranean diet.”
Sep. 8, 2020
Authorities Investigate New Olive Tree Pathogen in Northeast Italy
The Venetian regional government has teamed up with farmers and researchers to find the cause of an ongoing outbreak
Aug. 27, 2020
Italian Agricultural Agency’s Olive Oil Purchase Tenders Are Too Low, Farmers Argue
The Agency for Payments in Agriculture has awarded its €8 million tender. Skeptical farmers are questioning the criteria used to make the decision and have said the final amount of €2.28 is too low.
Aug. 27, 2020
Worker Shortages Problematic for Italian Farms as Harvest Nears
The usual influx of seasonal workers who come to harvest apples, grapes and olives in Italy has been interrupted. Travel restrictions related to Covid-19 has politicians and farmers worried that key crops will not be picked in time.
Aug. 25, 2020
Asian Bug May Be Cause of ‘Green Drop’ in Olive Trees, Researchers Find
An experiment revealed that the presence of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug on olive tree branches correlated with increased occurrence of the newly-observed ‘green drop’ disease.
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. 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.
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. 21, 2020
Farmers Warn Pesticide Ban Jeopardizes Italy's Olive Oil Production
While the prohibition on dimethoate-based pesticides was delayed until October, farmers and their supporters argue that no alternative treatments are available in time for the 2020 harvest.