Olives market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the fresh or chilled olives market in Southern Asia grew from 93.8 thousand tonnes to 108.8 thousand tonnes. This increase was supported by the expansion of olive cultivation in the Indian state of Rajasthan, where commercial production had begun, and by government targets to raise domestic olive output to 1 000 tonnes by 2025. Simultaneously, growing consumer preference for healthy cooking oils, particularly olive oil, stimulated demand.

Market volume dipped to 86.0 thousand tonnes in 2021 but rebounded sharply to 122.5 thousand tonnes in 2022. The recovery was reinforced by sustained consumer focus on health-conscious eating and the further expansion of distribution channels, including e-commerce, which improved product accessibility even in tier-2 cities.

By 2023, market volume reached 129.6 thousand tonnes, demonstrating resilience despite a 12% global decline in olive oil production during the 2023-2024 season. In 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) amended standards for olive oils, refining classifications and chemical property requirements, which will affect product quality and labeling compliance in the market.

Production olives in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of olives, 2017-2020

In 2020, Southern Asia produced 108.9 K t of olives, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 25.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 93.6 K t, which represented a 35.6% decline from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 16.8%.

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

Exports olives from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Southern Asia exported 123 t of olives in 2020, marking a 91.5% reduction from the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 t, while the maximum reached 1 453 t in 2019. This represents a 600-fold fluctuation between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a staggering 59 913.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Southern Asia's olive exports in kind were the United Arab Emirates, accounting for 35.7% of exports, Qatar with 9.5%, and the United Kingdom at 8.2%. Together, these three countries represented 53.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2020, Southern Asia's olive exports totaled 279 K $ US, showing a steep drop of 76.2% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 K $ US, while the peak hit 1 176 K $ US in 2019, creating a 159-fold gap between these years. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 15 831.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners for Southern Asia's olive exports in value terms were the United Arab Emirates, representing 32.5% of exports, Norway at 14.1%, and the United Kingdom with 9.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 56.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports olives to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Southern Asia imported 123 t of olives in 2020, constituting a decrease of 95.7% compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 439 t, with volumes varying 24 times between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 616.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of olive imports in kind was strongly focused on the United Arab Emirates, which held an 86.5% share of total flows, with other partners accounting for the remaining volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, Southern Asia's olive import volume declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 64 K $ US, which is 65.4% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 58.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 186 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 15.6%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, with 53.6% of imports in value terms, Australia at 14.0%, and Germany with 8.6%, consistently occupied leading positions in the country structure of olive imports. Together, these three partners accounted for 76.2% of total import flows.

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

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