Growers and producers hopeful of a bumper harvest after last year’s “oil drought” are scrambling to find solutions for dire labor shortages due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

A cluster of green and yellow olive fruits hanging from a branch with leaves. - Olive Oil Times

Olive Varieties

Apr. 8, 2021

New Efforts to Promote Rare White Olive Variety in Calabria

Archaeologists are working to preserve the cultural heritage of the Leucocarpa cultivar as producers are starting to grow and transform the ivory-white fruits.

Two women holding a handful of olives while sorting them in a processing area. - Olive Oil Times

Apr. 8, 2021 Producer Profiles

At Fontanaro Estate, Quality is Everything

Person collecting olives from a large green net during the harvesting process. - Olive Oil Times

Mar. 25, 2021 Production

Italian Olive Sector Must Focus on Quality for Future Success, Report Finds

Exterior view of a modern olive oil production facility with glass walls and metal structures. - Olive Oil Times

Mar. 19, 2021 Producer Profiles

A Focus on Design and Sustainability in Pursuit of Perfect Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Man wearing a black suit with a yellow collar at an iHeartRadio event red carpet. - Olive Oil Times

Mar. 9, 2021 News Briefs

Ryan Seacrest Wants to Make Organic Olive Oil

Two-story stone house with balconies and a garden featuring trees and shrubs. - Olive Oil Times

Mar. 5, 2021 Producer Profiles

Sustainable Tourism and High-Quality Production at Traldi Farm

Individual standing on a rocky outcrop overlooking a vast desert landscape with distant mountains. - Olive Oil Times

News Briefs

Mar. 3, 2021

Mauritania Seeks to Join Olive Council

The West African nation and IOC will work together to promote olive cultivation, olive oil consumption and establish quality control measures.

A woman presenting at a podium with flags of Spain and the European Union in the background. - Olive Oil Times

News Briefs

Feb. 25, 2021

Extreme Weather Takes Toll on Andalusian Olive Harvest

Production is expected to be around 300,000 tons lower than previously estimated, according to the regional government.

Individual walking on a street while carrying a grocery bag in one hand. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Feb. 10, 2021

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Consumption in Italy Rose in 2020, Production Slipped

Consumption edged upward in 2020, according to an industry group as production in the 2020/21 crop year turned out to be lower than initial estimates.

Olive trees arranged in a grove with a view of the blue sea in the background. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Feb. 3, 2021

Bottlers Dispute Application for Crete PGI

With the proposed Protected Geographical Indication, producers on Crete seek control of the production chain while bottlers fear losing profits.

Tuscany landscape featuring a hillside with a vineyard and olive trees during autumn. - Olive Oil Times

Producer Profiles

Feb. 2, 2021

History and Innovation Guide an Award-Winning Producer in Umbria

Through a fusion of historical influences and sustainable practices, Castello Monte Vibiano has achieved outstanding quality goals while preserving the local environment.

Several green apples with a cluster of olive pits in the foreground. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Jan. 21, 2021

Researchers Develop a Method to Retrieve the Sugar in Olive Pits

The high quality of the raw material, mostly glucose, allows its use in food and pharmaceutical applications.

Olive trees arranged in rows on a hillside under a clear blue sky. - Olive Oil Times

News Briefs

Dec. 31, 2020

Uruguay Expects a Better Harvest Following a Disastrous One

Production is expected to rebound after a dismal harvest last year, but will not quite reach the highs of the 2018/19 crop.

Man wearing a white shirt with a Community Emergency Response Team badge standing by a truck. - Olive Oil Times

Producer Profiles

Dec. 28, 2020

California Farmer Learns to Adapt to Constant Change

Challenges created by the pandemic and climate change prompted an award-winning producer to go with the flow.

Red agricultural tractor parked on a dirt path next to a vineyard and cypress tree. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Dec. 23, 2020

Production Rebounds in France Amid Climatic Challenges

Frost, hail and torrential rains dampened the 2020 olive harvest in France. It will still be better than last year and producers report that quality is as good as ever.

Man using a long pole to harvest olives from an olive tree in a field. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Dec. 22, 2020

Producers in Greece Adapt to Challenging Harvest

Greek producers have shown resourcefulness in dealing with the exceptional challenges of the 2020 harvest, supported by their knowledge of the industry and their clients.

Vast olive grove with rows of trees on rolling hills under a clear sky. - Olive Oil Times

World

Dec. 18, 2020

Global Olive Oil Production Dips to Four-Year Low

Tunisia, Italy, Portugal and Algeria experienced the largest production decreases. Lower yields throughout much of the world were partially offset by a bumper harvest in Spain and a good year in Morocco.

Close-up of green olives hanging from a branch of an olive tree with blurred background. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Dec. 18, 2020

California Yield Will Be Lower than Predicted

Climate and Covid-19 complicated the harvest for many producers as they entered an off-year, but quality is reportedly as high as ever.

Green olives collected in large storage bins with a Turkish flag in the background. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Dec. 14, 2020

Pandemic and Weather Extremes Compound an Off-Year in Turkey

Bad springtime weather and logistic challenges have made what was expected to be a tough year even worse.

A field with several oak trees and mountains partially covered by clouds in the background. - Olive Oil Times

News Briefs

Dec. 8, 2020

Producers Seek PDO in Castile y León

The new Aceite del Tiétar PDO would cover 6,000 growers in the province of Ávila, which is responsible for the majority of production in Castile y León.

Hands pouring freshly harvested green olives from a bag into a larger sack during the olive harvest. - Olive Oil Times

Production

Dec. 4, 2020

Italian Olive Oil Production Off by Nearly a Third This Year, Forecasts Suggest

The most significant drops in yield have been reported in the south, while northern and central Italy recorded some increases.