Australian olive oil consumption of 23,000 tonnes per annum is approximately 1% of world consumption.
Australia is currently the highest per capita consumer of olive oil outside the Mediterranean region. Per capita consumption has risen from approximately 400 millilitres per person in the mid-1980’s to over 1 litre per person in 1997/98.
Approximately 79% of olive oil consumed in Australia is pure and light olive oils, the balance of 21% being extra virgin olive oil.
Through supermarkets, which account for 42% of olive oil sales, 95% of the olive oil is sold in three pack sizes:
500ml = 39%
1 litre = 16%
4 litre = 40%
In 1998 the average price of olive oil through a supermarket was $6-48 per litre. The average prices for the different olive oils was:
Pure olive oil $5-28/litre
Light olive oil $6-80/litre
Extra virgin olive oil $8-60/litre
(Source: Ken Joiner, Market-Quest Consulting, in Realising the Potential of Olives Conference Proceedings published by Salsi Pty Ltd 1999.)
