Olives market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled olives in Western Europe opened the period at 26 937 t in 2018, a year that saw a significant 106.3% increase in the number of olive processors in France, directly responding to growing consumer demand for table olives. This expansion in processing capacity provided a foundation for the market, which then experienced a slight contraction to 26 126 t in 2019 before rebounding to 30 299 t in 2020.

Market volume continued to grow, reaching 34 251 t in 2021. However, it declined sharply to 29 167 t in 2022. During these years, the broader European olive sector was characterized by trends such as the expansion of olive grove area with a shift towards more intensive cultivation and the growth of organic farming with protected designations of origin. The market recovered strongly in 2023, rising to 34 398 t, a period when repeated droughts in Southern Europe were creating significant challenges for olive oil production and influencing consumer prices in related markets.

Production olives in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of olives, 2017-2020

In 2020, Western Europe produced 27 690 tonnes of olives, marking a 17.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 51%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 14.7%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 9.7%, while the largest surge was in 2018, when production jumped by 42.0%.

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

Exports olives from Western Europe

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2017 and the highest in 2020, resulting in a 6.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Europe exported 3 454 tonnes of olives, a dramatic increase of 204.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 52.2%, while the biggest rise occurred in 2018, with a jump of 342.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Ireland were among the largest buyers of olives from Western Europe, accounting for 7.0%, 5.4%, and 3.4% of exports in kind, respectively. However, together they represented just 15.8% of total exports in kind, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019, while the highest stood at in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.6 times. In 2020, olive exports from Western Europe totaled 12 076 thousand US dollars, a rise of 257.4% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 3 379 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest decline that year was 53.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms remained highly diversified. Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Norway accounted for 8.8%, 6.0%, and 4.7% of exports in value terms, respectively, totaling only 19.6% of total flows. The remaining 80.4% was formed by a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports olives to Western Europe

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of olives to Western Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Western Europe imported a total of value_last_year tonnes of olives, indicating a sharp uptick of 62.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 8.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 272 tonnes, and the largest decline that year was 41.2%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Spain, Greece, and Italy were the main sources of olive imports to Western Europe. Spain accounted for 40.0% of imports in kind, Greece for 25.3%, and Italy for 8.0%, together absorbing 73.2% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. The trough occurred in 2018, while the peak hit in 2020, with a 1.9-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Western Europe's volume of olive imports amounted to 20 580 thousand US dollars, which is 80.2% higher than a year earlier. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 10 787 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline that year was 19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Greece, and Italy remained the main destinations for olive imports to Western Europe in value terms. Spain accounted for 28.2% of imports in value terms, Greece for 27.8%, and Italy for 10.8%, together making up 66.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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