Preserved olives market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

The preserved olives market in MERCOSUR showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. After reaching 163.8 thousand tons in 2018, market volume dropped to 139.1 thousand tons in 2019, then recovered to 161.7 thousand tons in 2020.

Market volume peaked at 177.0 thousand tons in 2021, followed by a sharp contraction to 142.6 thousand tons in 2022. By 2023, the market stabilized at 139.9 thousand tons, with a minimal decline compared to the previous year.

In 2024, import volumes stood at 90.8 thousand tons while exports fell to 6.0 thousand tons. During this period, clarified regulatory changes to the fiscal classification of olives in Brazil affected trade rules, and leading national companies launched new product segments such as natural olive snacks targeting specific consumer groups. Favorable climatic conditions in Brazil and Argentina influenced local production, and growing global demand for table olives supported international trade dynamics, with the EU-MERCOSUR trade agreement pending ratification.

Production preserved olives in MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of preserved olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of preserved olives, 2017-2020

In 2020, MERCOSUR produced 80.0 K t of preserved olives, maintaining the same level as the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 16.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.9%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 80.0 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 106.0 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 24.5%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 10.4%.

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

Exports preserved olives from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, MERCOSUR exported 36.4 K t of preserved olives, which is 2.5% lower than in 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 37.3 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, surging by 436.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for MERCOSUR's preserved olive exports in kind were Spain (8.6% of exports), Chile (2.6%), and the United States (1.8%). Together, these three countries accounted for 13.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Preserved olive exports from MERCOSUR declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 68.4 M $ US, reflecting a limited year-on-year drop of 5.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, MERCOSUR's preserved olive exports in value terms were not concentrated on a few key markets. Spain (8.5% of exports), Chile (3.3%), and the United States (1.9%) jointly accounted for only 13.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports preserved olives to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, K t

MERCOSUR's preserved olive imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 118.0 K t, representing a 22.5% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 25.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, MERCOSUR's preserved olive imports in kind were not concentrated on a few key markets. Egypt (21.3% of imports), Peru (14.4%), and Spain (7.6%) together accounted for 43.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

MERCOSUR's preserved olive imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 146.9 M $ US, showing a 4.6% improvement compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 6.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 131.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 4.6%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, growing by 6.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, MERCOSUR's preserved olive imports in value terms were not concentrated on a few key markets. Egypt (15.5% of imports), Peru (15.1%), and Spain (9.6%) jointly accounted for 40.2% of total import flows.

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

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