02 June 2023

Brought to you by Australian & New Zealand Olivegrower & Processor www.olivebiz.com.au

Today's Top Story

Vale Michael Johnston

The industry has been deeply saddened by the sudden passing of award-winning grower and EVOO producer Michael Johnston, on 30 May 2023. Johnston died peacefully of natural causes at his beloved Willunga Hill grove.

Michael was a highly active and enthusiastic member of the olive industry, serving on both the Olives SA and AOA Boards and as a hands-on member of the organising team for many community and industry events.

A kind, warm and generous man with a great sense of humour, Michael will be deeply missed by his industry friends and colleagues. Together we send heartfelt condolences to Michael’s wife Rosie and extended family.

Australia

Calling all contract harvesters …

The AOA has been contacted by a number of smaller growers needing contract harvesters for this year’s crop. We’re keen to hear from anyone with capacity remaining for this season, so we can assist with ensuring all growers are able to have their crops harvested.

We’ll also put together an updated register of contract harvesters for future reference.

Contractors from all growing areas are invited to send their details to Friday Olive Extracts Editor Gerri Nelligan at editor@olivegrower.com.au.

Victorian government changes preferred transmission line route for VNI West project

New transmission lines are planned for Victoria to connect renewable energy projects to the electricity grid. (Supplied: Unsplash)

The Victorian government has changed the preferred route and accelerated work on a plan to build more transmission lines for renewable energy projects, with new landholders set to be affected.

Suspected unlicensed dams multiplying across stressed river system reveal holes in Victoria's water compliance

The Moorabool River system is a workhorse. It carves a tortuous path from the headwaters at the Wombat State Forest near Ballarat, down to its confluence with the Barwon River in Geelong. It provides critical habitat to rare fish, birds, and plants, feeds urban water supplies for Geelong and Ballarat along with private dams on thousands of hectares of farm land in between.

Australian agricultural sectors unite to create common framework for GHG accounting

Australian agriculture now has a common framework for greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, helping support sector-level baselines, reporting and communication of a united Australian narrative around emissions. The Common Approach to GHG Accounting for Australian Agriculture framework provides best practice guidance for sector-level accounting and can be used to steer improvements in data collection and reporting over time.

Mediterranean diet shown to be good for health and also the weekly budget

Image Credit: University of South Australia

We’ve heard it time and time again – the Mediterranean diet is great for our health. But despite the significant health benefits of this eating plan, a common deterrent is often the expected costs, especially when budgets are tight.

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 unwanted equipment - like Greg, who has a harvester and olive tanks for sale. 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.

Happy (belated) National Olive Day!

We’re a day late (FOE goes out on a Friday so it can’t be helped!) but let’s all take the opportunity to celebrate National Olive Day 2023, which officially happened yesterday, 1 June.

This year’s theme is “Embracing the Olive: A Taste of Tradition”, emphasizing the deep-rooted connection between olives and our cultural heritage. It’s a great conversation topic for visitors to your farmgate store or farmers’ market stand over the weekend!

Australia should increase competition to fight ‘excessive pricing’ by supermarkets, Rod Sims says

The former ACCC head Rod Sims says Coles and Woolworths may have used their market power to increase their profits during a cost-of-living crisis. Photograph: Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock.

The former competition watchdog head Rod Sims says Australia’s big supermarkets have likely used their market power to increase prices higher than necessary during a cost-of-living crisis and that the government should consider reforming merger laws to limit their dominance.

Opportunities

2023 Australian Export Awards

Applications are now open for the 2023 Australian Export Awards.

The awards are open to business of any size - no organisation is too big or small. Any Australian business with an active ABN and earning foreign exchange can apply.

Applications close 9-14 June, depending on your state or territory.

Find out more and apply here.

Governor of Victoria Exports Awards

Applications for Governor of Victoria Export Awards (GOVEA) 2023 are now open.

Open to all Victorian exporters – start-ups and SMEs to large organisations – GOVEA 2023 spans 13 categories with two additional Victoria only Awards. All GOVEA winners will be automatically placed as finalists in the Australian Export Awards.

More information on the categories, or register to begin your application, here.

Events

2023 Australian International Olive Awards - Entries now open

The 2023 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA) is now open for entries.

Australia’s premier olive competition, with increasing international recognition and status, the AIOA provides benefits for entrants including:

Entries individually assessed and awarded on merit.
All entrants receive comprehensive judging feedback.
Successful judging provides eligibility for OliveCare® certification.
Unprecedented opportunity for international recognition of winning products and producers.
Official AIOA Results Book, providing a great marketing tool for all medal and award winners.
The opportunity to purchase high-resolution professional product images for use in social media, website and media purposes at only $35 plus GST.

Find out more and enter here.

“I work so hard and it’s just wonderful to get something for all the hard work. I put my heart and soul into it, and I think it’s paid off with this award…and it’s expensive to make, so the boost in sales is such a bonus. Instead of three bottles, now people will ask for 12 – when it’s won Best in Show, it makes a great present.”

Liz Tonkinson, Leisal Rose, 2021 AIOA Best of Show EVOO

Regenerative agriculture field day, Northern NSW

The Regenerative Ag Alliance is hosting a regenerative agriculture field day in Northern NSW (just outside of Clunes) on June 16.

The Farming for Climate Resilience and Productivity field day and farm tour features include:

Damon Gameau, Director of Regenerating Australia 2040, That Sugar Film, and Rachel’s Farm;
Lorraine Gordon, Director of Strategic Projects, Farming Together, and the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance at Southern Cross University;
Dr Lucas Van Zwieten, Adjunct Professor at Southern Cross University and soil scientist at the Department of Primary Industries.
Panel discussion with Q&A.

More information and bookings here.

International

Even an abundant harvest would not ward off olive oil shortage in Italy

The general director of Assitol blamed an imbalanced market on poor harvests across the Mediterranean and the strategies of large retailers.

Deoleo touts sustainability in U.S. campaign

Deoleo, the world’s largest olive oil producer and distributor, has launched part of a new sustainability strategy. The Spanish company said it would introduce its new “sustainably sourced” Bertolli brand and “original sustainable” Carapelli brand in supermarkets across the United States this summer.

Proof of a sustainable business model is increasingly up there on consumers’ product wish list.

Report reveals winners, losers in Spanish olive oil market

Bottlers enjoy the highest net profit margin, farmers and millers earn far less and distributors fare the worst in a new study.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

The year is racing by and Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) continues and Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) will continue 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!

Consumer group in France finds olive oils contaminated with hydrocarbons

A small-scale sampling of organic and non-organic olive oil brands in France found that 23 of 24 samples contained contamination from plasticizers and mineral oil hydrocarbons.

How to grow and harvest olives in Farming Simulator 23

Farming Simulator 23 is here, and, besides new crops like grapes and sorghum, we can finally grow some olives as well. If you like olives in real life, this should get you quite excited.

The olive business you have when you’re not having an olive business …

Study: polyphenols in olive oil boost help heal damaged skin

Polyphenols found in extra virgin olive oil enhance the healing abilities of fibroblasts, opening up possibilities for novel wound healing applications.