Olives market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Production of fresh or chilled olives in Asia showed volatile trends from 2018 to 2023. It increased from 3 054 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 3 569 thousand tonnes in 2019, then dropped to 3 142 thousand tonnes in 2020. A moderate recovery to 3 345 thousand tonnes followed in 2021, before a dramatic surge to 5 103 thousand tonnes in 2022.

The following year, 2023, saw production fall by over a third to 3 079 thousand tonnes. Market volume, largely driven by domestic production, mirrored this pattern, reaching 5 103 thousand tonnes in 2022 and declining to 3 077 thousand tonnes in 2023. Imports and exports remained minimal throughout the period.

In 2024, the global olive sector faced drought conditions that reduced worldwide olive oil output by 8%. Table olive imports grew by 10.6%, indicating sustained demand. Technological advancements, such as drone monitoring and polyphenol retention techniques, alongside stricter labeling requirements, contributed to higher product quality and traceability.

Production olives in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of olives, 2017-2020

In 2020, Asia produced 3 142 thousand tonnes of olives, marking a 12.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 19.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 6.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 054 thousand tonnes. That year also saw the largest drop in production, with a 21.6% decrease. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, with production rising by 16.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports olives from Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 12.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of olives from Asia totaled 496 tonnes, down by 39.9% compared to the prior year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 825 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 348.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Asia's olive exports in kind were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 2.4% of these exports, the Netherlands for 1.6%, and the United States for 1.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 5.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. The lowest export value occurred in 2019, while the highest was in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.4 times. In 2020, olive exports from Asia amounted to 7 087 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 244.6% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 057 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 41.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of olives from Asia in value terms were Norway, accounting for 2.3% of exports, the United States at 1.8%, and Germany at 0.8%. Together, these three countries comprised 4.9% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports olives to Asia

Imports in kind, t

Olive imports into Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 2 448 tonnes, up by 184.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 259%, with a compound annual growth rate of 53.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt, Greece, and Spain were the principal suppliers of olives to Asia in kind. Egypt accounted for 11.8% of imports, Greece for 5.4%, and Spain for 1.9%. Together, these three countries made up 19.1% of total import volumes.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, showing a 2.4-fold variation. In 2020, olive imports into Asia amounted to 5 211 thousand US dollars, representing a steep gain of 143.8% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 137 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 31.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, imports of olives to Asia in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Greece accounted for 6.4% of imports, Egypt for 6.4%, and the United Kingdom for 2.5%. Together, these three countries captured only 15.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020