Adding olive pomace to asphalt binder made the resulting paving material more resistant to cracking and is an environmentally friendly way to recycle the waste product.

Agri-tourism businesses and food producers that supply major restaurants say Victoria's border restrictions with New South Wales, and Melbourne's ongoing lockdowns, are financially devastating.

There are now less than two weeks left to get your entries in for the 2021 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA). This year’s sensational harvest means it’s set the stakes are high, so make sure you’re in the running to be named 2021’s best!

Following the success of the 2020 format, the 2021 event once again involves both national and international judging panels across the globe.

Benefits of entering include:

Entries now open

Entries close 3 September

Medal winners announced 4 October 2021 via email

Major award winners Announced at 2021 AIOA Gala Presentation on 15 October in Devonport.

Find out more and enter here.

There was no need for major changes to the way Australia records foreign ownership of water, according to the Productivity Commission. Currently, 11 per cent of Australia's water is owned by foreigners, with the highest proportion of foreign-owned water held in Queensland and Western Australia.

The lockdowns keep increasing – and lasting – reminding us all that it’s important to keep up with the changing status of pandemic regulations across the board. You can access state-specific information on COVID-19 from the links below: 

New climate research by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) shows the number of high-risk bushfire days could triple in some parts of Victoria by the end of the century.

Got something to sell? Or want to buy? Go direct to your target market – olive growers and producers 

If you’ve got something industry-related to sell, you can reach your target market directly with Olivebiz Classifieds. Our online Classifieds service is an easy and inexpensive solution to advertising your excess product or equipment - like Mary, who’s selling handmade olive tapenade to extend your product range. And if there’s something you’re looking for, it’s the ideal way to get the message out loud and clear to your peers and industry associates – the most likely to have what you need.

Olivebiz Classifieds cost just $40 for AOA members ($100 for non-members), including a text ad and link through to either your web page or images hosted on our site. And you don’t need to be a tech-head: just send us your info and we’ll post it up for you.

Olivebiz Classifieds are online now at www.olivebiz.com.au/classifieds. To arrange a listing, contact Gerri at editor@olivegrower.com.au.

In just the last 60 years alone, deliberately or accidentally introduced invasive species have cost the Australian economy AUD$389.59 billion, a new analysis has revealed, with that number likely to rise unless better investments, reporting and coordinated interventions are introduced.

Due to the ongoing NSW COVID-19 lockdown and uncertainty regarding future travel restrictions, the NSW Riverina Soil Field Day has been postponed until 2022. Details for the new event will be confirmed in the New Year.

All tickets purchased already will be refunded shortly.

We are looking forward to seeing you all in person again soon. In the meantime, you can catch us online over the next couple of months. We have some excellent content lined up in our upcoming webinars and virtual conference. Look out for the email notices over the coming weeks and be sure to register for your virtual front row seats!

The current spreading outbreak and lockdowns has some producers wondering whether the various Australian olive competitions are going ahead. Luckily most are, and we’ve put together a comprehensive update on current status: 

The VFF has partnered with Ashurst law firm to deliver a series of commodity-specific webinars to help you understand your obligations under the new EPA laws which came into effect on 1 July 2021. 

The webinars will cover topics including:

The Horticulture webinar will be held on 1 September from 9-10:30am AEST. Register here.

For terms and conditions and further information please contact Ben on 0422850699 or Greg on 0407599409, or email newmed.olives@gmail.com

It’s time to get organised: entries for the 2021 New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards are now open, which means the opportunity for a medal (or even better a trophy) to help differentiate your product from others and help sales – consumers are impressed with medals!

10 September - Entries close

9 October - Awards Dinner, Rydges Wellington Airport Hotel

Arrangements are in place to deal with possible COVID-19 restrictions, ensuring judging will proceed. 

Should the COVID Level 4 lockdown impact on the above dates, Olives NZ will review and advise accordingly.

Information and entry forms are available on the Olives NZ website here.

Olive oil producers in New Zealand are expecting a bumper harvest. Farmers harvested 2,000 tons of olives this year, significantly more than the 1,500 tons harvested in 2020, according to Gayle Sheridan, the executive officer of Olives New Zealand.

Authorities in Portugal have detected Xylella fastidiosa bacteria in two rosemary plants in the center and south of the country.

Researchers from the University of Bayreuth in Germany have developed a new rapid test using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to identify the quality and authenticity of olive oil samples.

Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias said that the news is not all bad, with olive oil exports buoyed by increased demand from the United States.

We’re now more than half-way through 2021, and Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) continues to bring all the latest industry news and events to your Inbox every week. THE place to share olive industry news, event details and reminders, our industry e-newsletter keeps growing in popularity and we now have nearly 4000 subscribers across the globe. If you’re not one of them, you can sign up here.

And please remember that FOE is YOUR e-newsletter, so we’re keen to receive your news and help spread the word. Just email your information to Editor Gerri Nelligan at editor@olivegrower.com.au - it’s free, and the best way to reach your fellow industry members!

A report from the Institute of Services for the Agricultural and Food Market addressed Italy’s growing olive oil trade deficit, with production stagnant over the past half-decade while imports and consumption climb.

The removal of the more controversial trade tariffs imposed on goods from the EU by former USA president Donald Trump has brought about a sharp increase olive oil exports from Spain, with official figures showing that during the first half of this year 57,402 tons were sold abroad.

Following a Mediterranean-style diet may prevent the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to the findings of a team of French researchers.

Extra virgin olive oils from France, Greece, Italy and Spain will be considered for protection from imitations or copies on the Japanese market. 

The progress in the Covid-19 vaccination campaign in Europe is positively affecting the recovery of the agricultural sector, according to the European Commission in its latest short-term outlook for agricultural markets.

Entries open, 2021 WA Olive Awards

Entries close, Royal Tasmanian Fine Food Awards – Hobart, Tasmania

Results announced, AGOA – NE VIC

AOA Technical Webinar - Pest & Disease Management  

AGOA Presentation Dinner – Wangaratta, VIC

Results announced, Royal Tasmanian Fine Food Awards – Hobart, Tasmania

Entries close, 2021 WA Olive Awards

Entries close Olives NZ EVOO Awards – New Zealand

AOA Technical Webinar - Table olive cultivars 

AOA Technical Webinar - EVOO storage considerations 

Olives NZ EVOO Awards Dinner – Wellington, NZ

2021 Virtual National Olive Conference - Online

Results announced, 2021 WA Olive Awards

To include your event, or update your existing event details, email FOE editor Gerri Nelligan at editor@olivegrower.com.au

Friday Olive Extracts Editorial editor@olivegrower.com.au

Advertising: editor@olivegrower.com.au

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