World
Traditional olive farming accounts for 70 percent of the total surface area of the world’s olive trees and production from these groves accounts for 60 percent of the global total.
Meanwhile, modern high-density and super-high-density groves constitute only 30 percent of the world’s olive tree surface area, but their yields account for 40 percent of global olive oil production.
See Also:Italy’s Olive Oil Competitiveness Hindered by Aging GrovesThese are some of the facts emerging from research recently presented by the Agri-Food Business School (ESNEA), Intercoop Consultoría and Juan Vilar Strategic Consulting at a conference in Spain.
Eighty-seven percent of the global surface area of olive groves are located in nine Mediterranean countries, where traditional olive farming still dominates the scene.
However, in some of the countries, such as Portugal, modern groves now represent 64 percent of the total olive farms, while in Morocco many traditional olive groves are being transformed into modern (45.7 percent) and intensive orchards (9.3 percent).
While the global surface area dedicated to olive farming remains at 11.5 million hectares, most emerging countries where olive oil culture and olive farming are making inroads are increasingly focusing on modern orchards.
Every year, 1.5 percent of the current global olive tree surface area is transformed into modern or intensive orchards, where productivity far exceeds the capacity in traditional groves.
Today, the global surface of traditional orchards remains at 8.1 million hectares, of which 3.7 million – nearly one-third – cannot be mechanized. The world has just over 4.4 million olive farms, with an average size of 2.6 hectares.
See Also:Organic Olive Groves Flourish in SpainGiven these numbers, the Spanish study noted that the path for traditional olive growing is to invest in quality and differentiation, such as organic farming, from which the extra virgin olive oil can command higher prices.
Still, modern and intensive groves can pursue similar goals, the experts added, and their profitability can grow even more by efficiently managing production costs.
According to the projections, the number of organic olive groves will continue to grow steadily due to the increased demand for sustainable and environmentally-friendly products
The study also noted that twelve percent of the global surface – about 1.4 million hectares – is covered by diverse and specific types of olive farming: ecological cultivation, attic and emotional olive groves, biodynamic and bio-regenerative cultivation, groves for biodiversity and historic olive farms.
More articles on: high density olive farming (SHD), olive tree cultivation, organic olive oil
Oct. 11, 2023
Olive Growers in Madrid Benefit from CAP Funds
Officials in Madrid have released €8.5 million from the Common Agricultural Policy to promote traditional landscapes and biodiversity in the capital region.
Jan. 3, 2024
Pakistan Celebrates Foreign Investment, Local Culture at World Olive Day Gala
The event, held in the national capital, brought together farmers, consumers, foreign investors and government officials to educate, network and celebrate.
Apr. 16, 2024
Olive Oil Production Becomes Increasingly Viable in Oman
The oil-rich Gulf country planted its first commercial olive trees about ten years ago, which are now bearing fruit and yielding returns for farmers.
Sep. 28, 2023
Regenerative Ag Practices Improve Profitability of Steep-Slope Olive Farms
After finding that soil health improved in abandoned steep-slope olive groves, researchers determined organic and regenerative farming could yield similar results.
Jun. 10, 2024
U.S. Sees Significant Growth in Organic Olive Oil Sales
In the past two years, organic olive oil sales in the U.S. have increased by ten percent while conventional extra virgin olive oil sales slipped.
Dec. 15, 2023
Meet the Start-Ups in Central Italy Reviving Abandoned Olive Groves
The startup Ager Oliva in Tuscany and the association Le Olivastre in Umbria are committed to restoring abandoned olive groves through adoption plans for citizens and companies.
Jul. 24, 2023
Acclaimed Calabrian Producer Shares Insights on Blending, Organic Farming and Oleotourism
The producer behind Enotre discusses the challenges and opportunities for olive growers in Italy’s second-largest olive oil-producing region.
Sep. 15, 2023
Using Effective Microbes to Boost Organic Olive Yields in New Zealand
Ross Vintiner, award-winning biodynamic olive farmer in New Zealand, believes that microbes are the future of farming.