Olives market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh olives in Southern Europe opened the period at 15 445 thousand tons in 2018. A decline to 12 491 thousand tons followed in 2019, influenced by consumer price sensitivity which was affected by fluctuations in weather and trade conditions in key producing countries. The market then recovered over the next two years, reaching 15 102 thousand tons by 2021.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2022, with market volume falling to 10 329 thousand tons. This drop was significantly driven by a 10.6% decrease in domestic olive purchases within Spain, a major consumer market. In 2023, the market showed a partial rebound, rising to 11 368 thousand tons.

Production olives in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of olives, 2017-2020

In Southern Europe, olive production reached 14 314 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 14.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 10%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 12 485 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 15 440 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 19.1%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 18.6%.

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

Exports olives from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

The olive export market in Southern Europe showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 7 116 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 19 504 tonnes in 2019, representing a 2.7-fold increase. In 2020, exports stood at 18 578 tonnes, reflecting a modest year-on-year decrease of 4.7%. The most substantial decline was in 2018, falling by 42.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, jumping by 174.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the leading destinations for olive exports from Southern Europe in volume terms. France accounted for 2.2% of exports, Germany for 1.8%, and the United Kingdom for 1.6%. Together, these three countries represented 5.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Olive exports from Southern Europe declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 49 519 thousand US dollars, an 8.5% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 22.9%, with an average annual decline of 8.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 68 908 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 21.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 7.3%.

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

The value-based export structure from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diversified set of trading partners. Germany accounted for 5.2% of exports in value terms, the United Kingdom for 4.9%, and France for 4.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 14.9% of total flows, with the remaining 85.1% distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports olives to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

The olive import market in Southern Europe experienced notable volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest level in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.1-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, imports totaled 13 823 tonnes, indicating a sharp 45.7% decline compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 25 447 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 102.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria was the primary source for olive imports into Southern Europe in volume terms, accounting for 1.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, olive imports into Southern Europe declined in 2020, reaching 30 730 thousand US dollars, a steep 43.5% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 54 421 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 33.2%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Bulgaria was the main destination for olive imports into Southern Europe in value terms, representing 1.6% of total import flows.

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

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