Annual world olive oil consumption is approximately 2.25 million tonnes and table olive consumption approximately 1 million tonnes. Australia's olive consumption is about 1% of world consumption.

Spain, Italy and Greece are the world's leading producers of olive products. Groves in these countries are being modernised and substantial new plantings of olives are being undertaken in South American countries, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. These developments are contributing to the current 1.63% expansion in world olive oil production, while, according to the International Olive Oil Council, consumption is growing at half this rate.

For further information:

Olives In Cyprus  by Peter Kalman

Olives and Olive Oil In Cyprus by Dr Costas Gregoriou, Nicosia - Cyprus

If you are involved in growing olives outside Australia and New Zealand and would like to contribute, please email salsi@olivebusiness.com.