Wet, cold weather hits Australia's 2023 olive oil harvest

The Australian Olive Oil Association (AOOA) has reported the industry "endured challenging weather conditions" which has impacted the 2023 harvest.

Unseasonably cold, wet weather resulted in a shorter growing season, slower ripening of fruit and a delayed harvest.

AOOA president, David Valmorbida, said early in the season the industry was poised for a promising harvest but cold weather and rain in May and June, particularly in south east Australia had an impact.

While the Australian olive harvest is not officially tracked, the AOOA estimates the 2023 harvest will yield between 18-19 million litres of oil from about 110,000 - 120,000 tonnes of fruit.

This is compared to last year's harvest of 14-15 million litres and the record 2021 crop of 20-22 million litres of olive oil.

"We need to take into account the biennial cycle of olives," Mr Valmorbida said.

"This is an 'on' year for olives and while we made a prediction for a very good harvest earlier in the year, it's always weather dependant and the result has been mixed for growers.

"The oil yield is definitely lower than average because of the cooler growing conditions, but the quality of oil remains high because the fruit ripened slowly."

Internationally, olive oil is commanding record prices in Spain, Italy and Greece because of the global shortage due to high temperatures and severe lack of rain at key times in the growing cycle, as well as general drought in southern Spain over an extended period.

The AOOA also reported there is increased demand because of the conflict in Ukraine where the production of vegetable and seed oils has been disrupted.

In Australia growers are fetching between $6-7 per litre for larger commercial volumes of olive oil, and higher prices for some batches to export markets, or for small batch, high quality, or organic extra virgin olive oil.

"With the global shortage of olive oil, some larger Australian growers are in a good position to export olive oil to Europe and be well rewarded," Mr Valmorbida said.

"Despite good news for Australian olive oil, it is a very difficult time for the olive oil sector globally, with a 35-40 per cent shortage of product combined with very high packaging costs, especially glass and tin.

"These issues, coupled with high labour and energy costs, mean consumers will be paying more for olive oil.

"So, it is timely to remind consumers there is no other product like olive oil; for its taste, health benefits and versatility."

The 2023 National Olive Industry Conference and Trade Exhibition, run by the Australian Olive Association, will be held at the Ann Harding Conference Centre, University of Canberra, ACT Thursday and Friday, October 26 and 27.

The event will see the awarding of the key winners in the Australian International Olive Awards.

More information is available HERE.

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