Preserved olives market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian preserved olives market displayed considerable volatility in volume between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 203.4 thousand tonnes in 2018, consumption fell to 176.2 thousand tonnes in 2019 and further to 154.8 thousand tonnes in 2020. A recovery followed in 2021, pushing the market size to 211.2 thousand tonnes, but another contraction occurred in 2022 to 168.9 thousand tonnes. The most striking movement was recorded in 2023, when the market expanded sharply to 251.5 thousand tonnes.

These fluctuations in market volume were closely tied to changes in domestic production. Output dropped from 163.3 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 120.6 thousand tonnes in 2019, remained flat in 2020, then rebounded to 181.4 thousand tonnes in 2021. After another dip to 122.2 thousand tonnes in 2022, production surged to 183.3 thousand tonnes in 2023. Import volumes generally trended upward over the period, rising from 111.3 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 135.4 thousand tonnes in 2023, although with some yearly variations.

The market's composition shifted, with imports supplying a larger share of total volume in several years. Export volumes peaked at 81.2 thousand tonnes in 2021 before declining to 67.2 thousand tonnes in 2023. The net effect of these trade flows, combined with production swings, drove the overall market dynamics, culminating in the record high consumption level observed in 2023.

Production preserved olives in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy maintained the 6th position globally in terms of preserved olive production volume.

Top producers of preserved olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of preserved olives, 2017-2020

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2019, production experienced the largest decline of 26.1%. The maximum production volume was recorded in 2018 at 163.3 K t. In 2020, Italy produced 121.1 K t of preserved olives, showing minimal change compared to 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Production value reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.6-fold gap between these years. In 2019, the value recorded the largest decline of 22.1%. The maximum value was achieved in 2018 at 449.8 M $ US. In 2020, the output of preserved olives was valued at 363.5 M $ US in Italy, representing a 3.8% increase from 2019.

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

Exports preserved olives from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Preserved olive shipments from Italy to abroad increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export volume reached 74.6 K t, up by 2.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 15.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (31.3% of exports in kind), France (12.0% of exports in kind), and the United Kingdom (11.3% of exports in kind) together absorbed 54.6% of total preserved olive exports in kind from Italy, making them the main destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Preserved olive shipments from Italy to abroad increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export value totalled 223.8 M $ US, amounting to a 5.9% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 32%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States (34.5% of exports in value terms), France (12.5% of exports in value terms), and Germany (8.8% of exports in value terms) formed the core group of markets for exports in value terms, together representing 55.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports preserved olives to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy imported a total of 108.3 K t of preserved olives in 2020, corresponding to a substantial decline of 15.6% year-over-year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 128.3 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 15.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (51.0% of imports in kind), Greece (20.9% of imports in kind), and Morocco (5.7% of imports in kind) formed the main cluster of markets for imports in kind, with a combined share of 77.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, preserved olive deliveries to Italy totalled 171.3 M $ US, down by 14.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 200.7 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 13.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (47.8% of imports in value terms), Greece (21.4% of imports in value terms), and Morocco (5.3% of imports in value terms) were the primary suppliers of preserved olives to Italy, jointly accounting for 74.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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