Preserved olives market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The domestic market volume for preserved olives in Argentina stood at 52.5 thousand tons in 2018 but dropped sharply to 27.5 thousand tons in 2019. This decline coincided with mounting pressure on export markets, as Argentine producers faced increased competition in Brazil—their primary destination—due to the Egypt-Mercosur agreement that gradually reduced import tariffs and eroded the price advantage of Argentine goods.

After stabilizing around 28.9 thousand tons in 2020, the domestic market volume expanded to 37.6 thousand tons in 2021. This rise was supported by a significant contraction in exports, which freed up more product for local consumption. That year, the olive harvest for preserves remained concentrated in traditional growing provinces like La Rioja and San Juan, maintaining the production base.

By 2022, the market volume contracted again to 25.6 thousand tons as exports recovered to 50.7 thousand tons, with shipments to Brazil, the United States, and Spain remaining key. Domestically, Law 27.642 on front-of-pack labeling came into effect, introducing new labeling requirements for preserved olives, while the company Solfrut reported a 100% sales increase for its Oliovita brand in the Argentine market compared to 2019. The market volume saw a modest recovery to 27.7 thousand tons in 2023.

Production preserved olives in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Argentina ranked 9th globally in preserved olive production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of preserved olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of preserved olives, 2017-2020

In 2020, Argentina produced 80.0 K t of preserved olives, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 16.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 80.0 K t, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 106.0 K t. The largest decline of 24.5% was observed in 2019, whereas the biggest increase of 10.4% took place in 2018.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Preserved olive production in Argentina declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 103.0 M $ US, marking a moderate decrease of 3.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 140.5 M $ US. The largest decline of 24.3% occurred in 2019, while the biggest increase of 10.1% was seen in 2018.

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

Exports preserved olives from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

Preserved olive shipments from Argentina declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Argentina exported 51 819 t of preserved olives, representing a slight drop of 2.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 13.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the leading destination for Argentina's preserved olive exports in volume terms, accounting for 80.1% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Preserved olive deliveries from Argentina declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 66 704 K $ US, corresponding to a measured decrease of 5.7% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 16.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the principal market for Argentina's preserved olive exports in value terms, accounting for 77.2% of total exports, while other destinations formed a less significant portion.

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

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

Imports preserved olives to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

Argentina imported 737 t of preserved olives in 2020, reflecting a modest uptick of 6.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 24.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 691 t, while the peak was in 2018 with 995 t. The largest decline of 30.5% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (42.3% of imports in volume), the United States (17.8%), and Spain (13.8%) led as the top suppliers of preserved olives to Argentina, with their combined share reaching 73.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, preserved olive imports into Argentina increased. In 2020, Argentina imported 1 486 K $ US of preserved olives, equivalent to a slight increase of 1.0% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 24%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 471 K $ US, with the largest decline of 23.4% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—the Netherlands, the United States, and Spain—together accounted for 67.9% of total preserved olive imports into Argentina in value terms.

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

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