Olives market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled olives in Spain started the period at a high of 9 812 thousand tons in 2018, supported by strong global demand for healthy fats and the country's position as the world's leading exporter. A sharp contraction followed in 2019, bringing the market down to 5 964 thousand tons. Recovery began in 2020, with volume reaching 8 130 thousand tons, driven by sustained consumer preference for healthy food products. The market then stabilized around 8 246 thousand tons in 2021, aided by growing export activity for table olives.

In 2022, the market volume plummeted to 3 952 thousand tons. This decline was primarily due to a medium or below-average harvest in the 2022/2023 campaign, which severely constrained olive availability and drove up prices. A partial recovery occurred in 2023, with volume rising to 5 099 thousand tons as the sector maintained its global production leadership and export shipments continued to expand.

Production olives in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Spain was the leading producer of olives from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of olives, 2017-2020

In 2020, Spain produced 8,138 thousand tonnes of olives, marking a 36.4% year-on-year increase. Production grew by 24.3% over the period from 2017 to 2020, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 5,965 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 9,820 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 39.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 49.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of olive production in Spain reached 6,462 million US dollars, up 23.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 6.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5,229 million US dollars, and the highest was in 2018 at 9,669 million US dollars. The most substantial decline was in 2019, with a 45.9% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 40.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports olives from Spain

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Spain's olive export volume increased in 2020, reaching 13,531 tonnes, a slight rise of 1.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 20.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 13,399 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 20.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal was the central partner for Spain's olive exports in volume, accounting for 77.4% of total flows, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Olive exports from Spain declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 10,744 thousand US dollars, down 8.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 39.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the core of Spain's olive exports in value terms was formed by Portugal, with a 59.3% share, Italy at 11.3%, and Germany at 11.0%, together accounting for 81.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports olives to Spain

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Spain's olive import volume declined in 2020, totalling 5,494 tonnes, a 54.1% decrease year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 41.2%, averaging an annual decline of 16.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 11,971 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 26.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal was overwhelmingly the main source for Spain's olive imports in volume, representing 99.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of olives to Spain declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 2,320 thousand US dollars, down 57.4% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 61.5%, with an average annual decline of 27.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Portugal remained the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for Spain's olive imports in value terms, holding a 96.5% share.

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

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