7 FEBRUARY 2025

Scroll down to read the first of our feature articles, designed to give helpful insight, advice and resources to guide you through the annual olive growing and processing cycle, and keep you in the loop on issues affecting the Australian olive industry.

Content like this was previously available via Olive Grower & Processor magazine, and can now found right here, delivered free and directly to your inbox each week.

Proudly brought to you by the Australian Olive Association, Friday Olive Extracts is the place to share olive industry news and events. And it just keeps growing in popularity, with thousands of local and international subscribers. If you’re not one of them, you should be. Subscribe now!

Today's top story

Horticultural Code of Conduct: Do you know your rights and responsibilities?

Image: ACCC.

The Horticulture Code of Conduct is a mandatory code that aims to make trading arrangements between growers and traders (agents and merchants) fair and transparent.

If you’re a grower or trader of horticulture produce, it’s important that you understand your rights and obligations under the Code. The ACCC has recently taken action against a number of traders for not meeting their obligations.

Visit the ACCC website to work out whether the code applies to you and what your obligations are.

Advice to assist when negotiating and entering into a Horticulture Produce Agreement is also

available.

Australia

National Small Business Strategy backs agricultural right to repair

The National Farmers’ Federation has applauded the National Small Business Strategy backing right to repair “especially in agriculture and farming” as part of much-needed competition policy reforms.

NFF President David Jochinke said the Strategy acknowledged what farmers had been clearly saying – right to repair could help ease cost pressures, lift productivity and improve competition.

A week of extremes as Australia endures bushfire and floods

Heavy rains and flooding have lashed northern Queensland this past week, with yet more rain and flash-flooding expected in the coming days.

Meanwhile, bushfires have continued to ravage Victoria's west, as prolonged heatwave conditions fanned several out-of-control blazes across the state.

Rural Aid urges struggling farmers and businesses to register

Leading regional charity Rural Aid has put out the call for struggling farmers to register with it as a series of natural disasters impacts the country.

The charity said Australia is currently facing extreme weather events at opposite ends of the country, including floods in Queensland, bushfires in Victoria and Western Australia, while South Australia and western Victoria are enduring drought.

What Trump’s tariff moves mean for Australia

Donald Trump says he loves tariffs but just hours after he slapped massive levies on Mexico and Canada he’s taken them away.

The surprising U-turn has rattled financial markets and revived fears of a global trade war.

So, what on earth is the US President up to and how will the global economy respond?

No real surprise that the Trump tariff chaos is back in the news again this week. Australian agricultural bodies are monitoring the developing situation closely, while media speculation continues on what it could all mean for us here in the land down-under.

AgriSkills Accelerator given green light

A first-of-its-kind program will encourage university students from diverse disciplines to ‘test-drive’ a career in Australia’s agriculture industry, to increase skilled students entering the sector and to help meet demands for a larger, more diverse workforce.

Got something to sell? Looking to buy?

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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. 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.

Contact Laura at comms@australianolives.com.au to organise your listing.

International

Global olive oil production will exceed the five-year average

Image: Olive Oil Times

Global olive oil production is expected to exceed the five-year average in the 2024/25 crop year, as production decreases in Europe and rises in the Middle East and North Africa.

The International Olive Council forecasts that global olive oil production will climb to 3.38 million metric tons, a 32% increase compared to last year and 13% above the five-year average.

Spain to supply Italy with 25 tonnes of olive oil per month

Italy will import 25 thousand tonnes of olive oil from Spain every monthThese are the forecasts coming from the Iberian country where it is underlined that this quantity will be 60% more compared to the oil that arrived in our country last year.

Crisis looms for Lassithi olive oil amid drought and policy failures

Olive oil production in Lassithi has plummeted to 30% of peak output, while severe drought threatens the survival of olive groves next season.

Farmers are also refusing to sell their high-quality olive oil at current market prices.

Olive oil prices plummet, offering consumer relief and producer concerns

The olive oil market is witnessing one of its most significant transformations as prices plummet dramatically, providing relief for consumers yet raising alarms among producers over potential future ramifications.

The recent drop brings olive oil back to accessible prices, but poises challenges for farmers' income and sustainability.

Send us YOUR news!

Friday Olive Extracts is back for 2025, bringing the latest industry news and events direct to your inbox each week.

As THE place to share olive industry news, event details and reminders, our industry e-newsletter keeps growing in popularity and we now have nearly 3,000 subscribers across the globe. If you’re not one of them, why not? Sign up here!

And please remember this is YOUR e-newsletter and we’re keen to receive your news and help spread the word. Just email Laura at comms@australianolives.com.au - it’s free and the best way to reach your fellow industry members!

Tips from an olive oil expert: Five signs you should always look for on the bottle

Image: Huff Post.

"It’s a Mediterranean diet staple, but you might be surprised to hear that not all extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) you see on your supermarket shelves is made equal. Unfortunately, it’s a poorly regulated market, which is why low-quality (and even fraudster) EVOOs are constantly slipping through the net."

A gut health and nutrition expert has taken to Instagram to explain what to look for when buying our next bottle of olive oil.

This is why it's so important for Aussie producers to be OliveCare® certified - it reassures consumers that what they're buying is the real deal! Visit the AOA website to find out more.

Corfu olive oil shows promise in colon cancer research

A specific type of olive oil from Corfu, Greece, is being studied for its potential to fight colon cancer.

Researchers at Louisiana State University extracted compounds, including pure oleocanthal, from the Lianolia Kerkyras olive oil variety grown in the Agios Matthaios region.

Three months until cheaper olive oil hits supermarket shelves

That’s what major retail supplier Filippo Berio is predicting for consumers – just three months until cheaper olive oil prices.

FRIDAY OLIVE EXTRACTS FEATURE ARTICLE

Harvest time is here - are you ready?

Image: A harvesting machine at work in the grove. Longridge Olives, South Australia.

By Laura Thomas

The annual olive harvest will get underway in parts of the country in the coming weeks and signs are looking promising for an on-year, with plenty of fruit.

And with this bountiful crop in mind, Aussie growers are making sure arrangements are in place for a successful harvest.

Harvest will be here before we know it, so the time to get ready is now! Read on to find out what growers are doing in the lead-up and take a look at our pre-harvest check-list.

Calendar 2025

10 MARCH 2025

AOA / NFF National Horticulture Roadshow Back to Basics Field Day

Hunter Valley, New South Wales

Save the date! More details coming soon.

Following overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees at past events, plans are underway for similar "Back to Basics" events to be held in Western Australia and Victoria during 2025. Watch this space for dates and more information.

To include your event in our next edition, or update your existing event details, please reach out to Laura at comms@australianolives.com.au

Friday Olive Extracts is published by:

For Friday Olive Extracts editorial and advertising enquiries, email Laura at comms@australianolives.com.au

Visit the Australian Olive Association website