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Top 10 Countries By Olive Oil Production

One of the most widely used oils in the world, olive oil has several applications. It is a nutritious dietary choice that is utilized globally. Over the past many years, its output has risen to more than 60%. Spain is the world’s largest producer of olive oil. Olive oil exports are so large that they are a significant source of income for nations like Morocco, Spain, and Italy. 

The top ten nations in terms of olive oil output are listed here.

List of 10 Largest Olive Oil Producing Countrries

  1. Spain
  2. Italy
  3. Turkey
  4. Tunisia
  5. Greece
  6. Portugal
  7. Morocco
  8. Syria
  9. Algeria
  10. Egypt

1) Spain

766.4 thousand metric tons of olive oil were produced in Spain during the 2023-2024 season, making it the world’s largest producer. The country’s perfect climate and vast olive groves, especially in the Andalusia region, which produces over 75% of Spain’s olive oil, are major factors in its domination. The nation’s olive oil business, which employs thousands of people and makes a substantial economic contribution, is an essential part of its agricultural sector.

Spanish olive oil is well known for its excellent quality and wide range of flavors and varieties to suit a wide range of culinary tastes. The nation’s production methods guarantee quality and sustainability by combining old and modern approaches. Leading Spanish olive oil brands, such as Carbonell, Hojiblanca, and Borges, are highly exported and have garnered praise from throughout the world. Italy, Japan, and the United States are among the countries where these brands are particularly popular.

Furthermore, Spain’s reputation for superior quality has been cemented by its dedication to producing extra virgin olive oil and organic olive oil. The nation has also made R&D investments to enhance the methods used to extract olive oil and advertise the health advantages of the oil, such as its high antioxidant content and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

2) Italy

Italy is the world’s second-largest producer of olive oil, with 288.9 thousand metric tons produced in the 2023-2024 season. The nation’s rich historical past is reflected in the cuisine and culture of the country, which is strongly influenced by the olive oil business. Italian olive oil is highly regarded for its superior quality and wide variety of flavors. It is frequently distinguished by its golden-green color and fruity, peppery flavor.

Especially well-known for producing a significant amount of Italy’s olive oil are the regions of Puglia, Calabria, and Sicily. These regions have the ideal soil and climate for growing olives. Puglia alone generates almost half of the nation’s olive oil, and the region is covered in enormous expanses of olive groves.

While new techniques are also used to improve quality and efficiency, traditional methods are still commonly used in the production of olive oil in Italy. Renowned Italian olive oil brands such as Filippo Berio, Carapelli, and Bertolli have become global icons and are considered the pinnacle of quality. Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), two of the nation’s strict quality certifications and standards, guarantee that customers get genuine, premium goods.

Italy has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and public health by being a leader in the production of organic olive oil. Olive oil is a staple of Italian cuisine and is widely recognized for its health benefits, which include lowered chances of cancer and heart disease. 

3) Turkey

Turkey is the third-largest producer of olive oil in the world, with 210 thousand metric tons produced in the 2023-2024 season. The nation’s olive oil business has grown significantly over the last few decades and is a vital component of its agricultural sector. Turkey is a great place to grow olives because of its varied climate and rich soil, especially in areas like the Mediterranean, Marmara, and Aegean.

Turkey’s olive oil production centers on the Aegean region, particularly in the provinces of Izmir, Aydın, and Muğla. These regions are renowned for their ability to produce premium olive oils with unique flavors. Due to its light and fruity flavor, Turkish olive oil is highly regarded and used in cuisine all over the world.

Large investments in contemporary infrastructure and production methods have enhanced the productivity and quality of Turkey’s olive oil sector. Prominent Turkish companies, like Tariş, Komili, and Kristal, are well-known abroad and sell olive oil to markets in the Middle East, Europe, and America.

Reflecting a global trend toward healthier and environmentally friendly products, the nation is likewise concentrating on the manufacture of organic and sustainable olive oil. Not only is Turkish olive oil prized for its flavor, but it also has several health advantages, such as high antioxidant content and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

4) Tunisia

With 200,000 metric tons of olive oil produced in 2023-2024, Tunisia is the world’s fourth-largest producer of olive oil. This country in North Africa has a long history of cultivating olives, dating back to antiquity, and its olive oil sector continues to be a vital component of its agricultural economy. Olive trees thrive in Tunisia’s Mediterranean climate, which features hot, dry summers and warm, moist winters.

The main areas of Tunisia for olive cultivation are the central and southern regions, especially the Sahel and Sfax regions. There are large olive orchards in these places that use both conventional and organic farming methods to yield premium olive oil. 

International recognition has been bestowed upon Tunisian olive oil brands, like Chemlali and Chetoui, which are exported to important markets in Europe, the US, and Asia. The nation’s strict quality control procedures and certifications demonstrate its dedication to excellence and guarantee that customers will only obtain genuine, high-quality goods.

The olive oil sector in Tunisia has also profited from large expenditures made in infrastructure and contemporary processing facilities. This has improved the consistency and quality of the olive oil while also increasing production efficiency. The business has received active backing from the Tunisian government, which has implemented programs to enhance production methods, encourage exports, and raise awareness of Tunisian olive oil abroad.

5) Greece

Greece is the world’s fifth-largest producer of olive oil, with 195 thousand metric tons produced in the 2023-2024 season. In Greece, the production of olive oil is a deeply ingrained cultural practice that stretches back thousands of years, not merely an agricultural endeavor. Greek olive oil is well known for its superb flavor, abundant nutrients, and rich texture.

Greece’s principal regions for olive cultivation include the Peloponnese, Crete, and the Ionian Islands. These areas benefit from a Mediterranean environment that makes growing olives possible. Greek olive oil is a mainstay in Mediterranean cooking because of its strong, fruity flavor that has undertones of almond and pepper.

Greek olive oil companies with a strong international reputation include Minerva, Terra Creta, and Kolymvari. Greece’s emphasis on extra virgin olive oil, which makes up the bulk of its output, demonstrates its dedication to upholding strict standards. Greek producers work hard to attain the low acidity and great taste that make extra virgin olive oil so well-known.

The Greek olive oil industry also values organic and traditional farming methods highly, which demonstrates great regard for the environment and the health of its customers. Ancient farming methods combined with contemporary manufacturing technology guarantee that Greek olive oil keeps its true characteristics while satisfying the needs of the modern world regarding sustainability.

6) Portugal

Portugal is the sixth-largest producer of olive oil in the world, with a production of 150 thousand metric tons in the 2023-2024 season. Over the past ten years, the output of olive oil in this Iberian nation has increased significantly due to investments in advanced agricultural practices and a growing international reputation for high-quality olive oil.

Portugal’s olive oil industry is centered on the Alentejo region in the south of the country. This area is perfect for growing olives because of its mild Mediterranean climate and undulating hills. Portuguese olive oil is a popular component in many culinary applications because of its smooth, fruity flavor and subtle peppery finish.

Prominent Portuguese brands of olive oil, like Casa Agrícola Roboredo Madeira, Gallo, and Oliveira da Serra, are known across the world for their excellence and reliability. Global markets have been effectively penetrated by these brands, especially those in Europe, the US, and Brazil. Portuguese olive oil is frequently made with a combination of contemporary technology and age-old techniques, guaranteeing efficiency and authenticity.

Portugal is very committed to organic and ecological farming methods. A large number of Portuguese olive oil producers use methods that maintain biodiversity and soil health, placing a high priority on environmental management. Besides improving the olive oil’s quality, this emphasis on sustainability fits with a global movement towards more environmentally responsible agricultural products.

7) Morocco

Morocco is the seventh-largest producer of olive oil in the world, with 106 thousand metric tons produced in the 2023-24 season. The nation’s centuries-old olive oil business is an essential component of its agricultural sector. Morocco’s Mediterranean environment, which is distinguished by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters, is ideal for growing olives.

Morocco’s primary olive-growing regions are in its north and center, which include cities like Fez, Marrakech, and Meknes. Moroccan olive oil is prized for its strong, slightly sweet flavor and its adaptability to a wide range of culinary uses. The nation produces a variety of olive oils to suit a wide range of preferences and applications, from extra virgin to refined.

Prominent Moroccan brands of olive oil, such as Lesieur Cristal, Al Andalus, and Zitoun Al-Massira, have been known for their superior quality both in the country and abroad. Morocco has been making investments to update its methods for producing olive oil, bringing together cutting-edge technology and age-old customs to improve output and quality.

One of the main priorities of the Moroccan olive oil sector is sustainability. To lessen the negative effects of olive oil production and cultivation on the environment, several producers are implementing organic farming methods. With programs meant to advance sustainable agriculture and raise production standards, the government backs these endeavors.

8) Syria

Syria ranks as the eighth-largest producer of olive oil in the world in 2023-2024, with an output of 95,000 metric tons. A vital component of the nation’s agricultural sector, the olive oil business is ingrained in its history and culture. Syria is still a major player in the world market for olive oil, although it has encountered several difficulties in recent years.

The main growing regions for olives in Syria are found in its northwest, specifically in places like Aleppo, Latakia, and Idlib. These areas profit from a Mediterranean environment that makes growing olives possible. Syrian olive oil is a popular option for cooking because of its strong flavor, which frequently has a note of bitterness and a peppery finish.

Renowned Syrian olive oil brands like Al-Mazraa and Al-Arab have gained recognition for their superior quality both in the country and abroad. These companies specialize in making extra virgin olive oil, which is prized for its excellent flavor and low acidity. Although there is a rising trend towards combining contemporary techniques to improve efficiency and consistency, traditional harvesting methods are still widely used.

In Syria’s olive oil sector, organic and sustainable farming methods are becoming more popular. Producers are putting policies in place to save water and preserve the land as they become more conscious of the value of ecologically friendly activities. To assist these efforts, the Syrian government and several non-governmental groups have given olive producers resources and training.

Syria’s olive oil sector has been remarkably resilient in the face of persistent violence and economic upheaval. Olive oil from the nation is exported to many other markets, such as the Middle East, Europe, and the United States, where it is highly valued for its unique flavor and superior quality.

Syria has remained a prominent producer of olive oil because of its dedication to tradition, quality, and sustainability. The industry’s tenacity and flexibility guarantee that Syrian olive oil will always be regarded as a valuable commodity on the international market.

9) Algeria

Algeria is currently the ninth-largest producer of olive oil in the world, with 93 thousand metric tons produced in the 2023-2024 season. With a centuries-long history, the nation’s olive oil business plays a major role in its agricultural sector. Algeria’s mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers make the country’s Mediterranean environment perfect for growing olives, especially in areas like Kabylia, the Aurès Mountains, and sections of the coastal and high plateaus.

Algerian olive oil is prized for its distinct and varied flavors, which are frequently typified by a fruity and faintly spicy flavor. The nation’s olive orchards, which blend conventional and contemporary agricultural methods, yield a diverse range of olive oils, from extra virgin to refined, satisfying a broad spectrum of palates.

Prominent Algerian olive oil labels, such as La Belle and Aurès, have been known for their excellence both domestically and abroad. These companies concentrate on creating extra virgin olive oil, which is prized for its excellent flavor and low acidity. The oil’s natural flavors and nutritional value are preserved through the use of age-old techniques including cold pressing and hand-picking.

In Algeria, the importance of organic farming and sustainability is growing in the olive oil sector. Many farmers are implementing techniques that improve soil health and reduce their negative effects on the environment. Through programs targeted at raising the standard of products produced, boosting production methods, and increasing Algeria’s market share abroad, the Algerian government backs these endeavors.

10) Egypt

Egypt is the 10th largest olive oil producer in the world, with 40 thousand metric tons produced in the 2023-2024 season. The government’s efforts to increase olive farming and improve production techniques have helped the nation’s olive oil industry to grow gradually. Olive trees thrive in Egypt because of the country’s moderate climate, which is best suited for them in areas like the Sinai Peninsula, the Nile Delta, and the Western Desert.

Egyptian olive oil is a valuable component in many culinary applications because of its moderate and well-balanced flavor. The nation uses a combination of contemporary and traditional methods to produce its olive oil. This blend meets modern quality standards and guarantees the retention of true flavors.

Well-known Egyptian olive oil companies, like Wadi Food, El-Arab, and Siwa, have achieved notable success in both local and foreign markets. These companies have a strong emphasis on producing extra virgin olive oil, which is valued for its healthful properties and low acidity. The natural antioxidants and health-promoting qualities of the oil are preserved through the use of cold-pressing processes.

The olive oil business in Egypt is starting to place more and more emphasis on sustainability. To reduce their negative environmental effects, many farmers are switching to organic agricultural methods and water-efficient irrigation techniques. Through initiatives to advance sustainable development and enhance agricultural practices, the Egyptian government backs these endeavors.

NoCountryOlive Oil Production (1000 Metric Tons)
1Spain766.4
2Italy288.9
3Turkey210
4Tunisia200
5Greece195
6Portugal150
7Morocco106
8Syria95
9Algeria93
10Egypt40

Conclusion

A major component of the world’s agricultural landscape is the production of olive oil, with Spain, Italy, and Greece producing the most and the highest quality. These countries demonstrate a harmony between heritage and contemporary innovation in olive production, as do up-and-coming producers like Tunisia, Morocco, and Turkey. 

While meeting the increasing demand for natural, healthful oils globally, the sector sustains the livelihoods of millions of people. Olive oil manufacturing is constantly evolving, with a focus on environmentally friendly techniques, as sustainability and climate change transform agricultural practices.

FAQs

Which Country Produces the Most Olive Oil Each Year?

Spain is the country that produces the most olive oil each year with a production of 766.4 thousand metric tons in the 2023/24 season.

Which Country Exports the Most Olive Oil?

Spain is the world’s largest exporter of olive oil. It is responsible for more than 43% of the global olive oil production.

How Much Olive Oil Is Produced Every Year?

The global production of olive oil in the 2023/24 season was 2.31 million metric tons which was less as compared to the previous year’s production (2.44 million metric tons).

Oleksandra Mamchii

Working as a academic lead at Best Diplomats.

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