14 FEBRUARY 2025


Today's top story

APVMA removes 532 unregistered products from online stores in 6 months

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) continues to take action to protect the Australian community, most recently by removing 532 unregistered agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemical products from online stores in the 6-month period from July to December 2024. 


APVMA Chief Executive Officer Scott Hansen, said that under Australian law, all agvet chemical products must be registered or approved by the APVMA.


Spraying for weeds and bugs? It's so important to know the chemicals you use in your grove are above-board and approved for use on olive trees. Check out the APVMA's free products and permits database here to make sure.

Australia

Biosecurity tax scrapped, farmers rejoice

Farmers across the nation are celebrating the Federal Parliament’s decision to discharge the Biosecurity Protection Levy, effectively binning the tax.


The National Farmers’ Federation welcomed the decision, describing it as a "huge win for farmers".

Nominate an Australian soil hero

Image: Landcare Australia


Landcare Australia is calling for nominations for the 2025 General Jeffery Soil Health Award, which recognises the work of people who care for soil health and who are educating or inspiring others.


Nominate an eligible farmer, farming systems group, land manager or extension specialist before 31 March 2025.

Register for the Churchill Fellowship's online info session: Agriculture, horticulture and food

Registrations are now open for a free Churchill Fellowship information session on Tuesday 25 February 2025.


The online event is specifically for people involved in any aspect of agriculture, horticulture and food production. Starting at 6pm (AEDT), the session will run for about an hour, with the opportunity to ask questions, gain helpful advice and be inspired by Churchill Fellows sharing their experiences and insights.


More information about applying for a fellowship, including the various information sessions being held, visit Winston Churchill Trust website.

'Built-in obsolescence' creates 500,000-tonne e-waste problem

As technology accelerates, so too does Australia's electronic waste problem.


While e-waste is a growing problem globally, Australia generates about 500,000 tonnes of e-waste annually, according to the latest available data from the federal government's national waste report.


That means each Australian produces about 20kg of e-waste a year, compared with the global average of 7kg.


With so many of us relying on technology to run our businesses, keeping our computer systems up-to-date is par for the course. But what to do with the growing pile of redundant PCs and laptops left behind? E-waste is something I struggle with from both a data security and environmental perspective - how do you manage it?

What lies ahead for the property market in 2025?


A range of influences have been put forward as important direct and indirect drivers of the property market this year, ranging from the impact of tariff wars spawned by US president Donald Trump, a low Aussie dollar making Australian grazing assets more attractive to offshore investors, and continued, if not growing, interest in carbon markets.

Queensland flood and biosecurity resources for farmers

Queensland producers are reminded of the resources available to help them through the current flooding and wet-weather event impacting the state.


Information about disaster preparedness and recovery support in Queensland can be found here.


Information to help manage on-farm biosecurity risks in wet-weather events can be accessed via the Ausveg website.

3G shutdown a safety and productivity issue

The National Farmers Federation has laid out the impacts of the 3G shutdown to Senate committee, saying it is a safety and productivity issue.


Got something to sell? Looking to buy?

OliveBiz will take you straight to your target market!


If you’ve got something industry-related to sell, you can reach your target market directly with Olivebiz Classifieds. Our online Classifieds service is an easy and inexpensive solution to advertising your unwanted equipment. And if there’s something you’re looking for, it’s the ideal way to get the message out loud and clear to your peers and industry associates – the most likely to have what you need.


Olivebiz Classifieds cost just $40 for AOA members ($100 for non-members), including a text ad and link through to either your web page or images hosted on our site. And you don’t need to be a tech-head: just send us your info and we’ll post it up for you.


Olivebiz Classifieds are online now at www.olivebiz.com.au/classifieds.


Contact Laura at comms@australianolives.com.au to organise your listing.


International

Bumper harvest boosts Tunisian olive oil exports amid market volatility

Image: Olive Oil Times.


Amidst a robust harvest rebound, Tunisia’s officials and olive oil producers feel bullish even as the sector experiences growing pains.


The Ministry of Agriculture estimates that Tunisia will produce 340,000 metric tonnes in the 2024-25 crop year, the largest yield since the record-high 440,000 tonnes produced in 2019-20.

Organic extra virgin olive oil market to hit USD $12.8B by 2032, driven by rising health awareness

The global market for Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO) has experienced steady growth, driven by the increasing consumer demand for healthier, natural, and environmentally sustainable food products.


The market was valued at USD $5.52B in 2023 and is projected to increase from $6.06 billion in 2024 to $12.8B by 2032. 

The gold standard: Taste and transparency drive olive oil’s growth


Premium or not, olive oil brands should communicate on simple taste descriptors and transparency.


For brands, communicating tasting notes can be helpful in standing out on shelves as different oil varities present various flavours and aromas.


Record olive oil sales in Andalusia


Andalusia set a new historical record in olive oil exports between January and November 2024, surpassing €4B in sales of "liquid gold".


The autonomous Spanish community exported €4.25B worth in the first 11 months of the year, representing a growth of 43% compared to the same period in 2023.


Why olive oil prices in Greece aren't falling

Image: Athens, Greece (AP). Olive Oil Times.


In Greece, the reduced olive oil prices at origin are not reflected in the retail market, as consumers continue to dig deep into their pockets when buying olive oil in supermarkets and grocery stores.


Producers are blaming middlemen for stubbornly high prices.


Send us YOUR news!

Friday Olive Extracts is back for 2025, bringing the latest industry news and events direct to your inbox each week.


As THE place to share olive industry news, event details and reminders, our industry e-newsletter keeps growing in popularity and we now have nearly 3,000 subscribers across the globe. If you’re not one of them, why not? Sign up here!


And please remember this is YOUR e-newsletter and we’re keen to receive your news and help spread the word. Just email Laura at comms@australianolives.com.au - it’s free and the best way to reach your fellow industry members!

Over $1M worth of olive oil stolen from transport company in Montreal

Montreal police say over $1 million worth of olive oil was stolen after a delivery involving two transport companies in the city never arrived at its destination in Ontario, Canada.


Police say Transport Q-Trans had a contract to deliver more than 100 palettes of olive oil to an Ontario client, which did not receive the shipment as expected earlier this week.

How GIS can protect the world’s olive legacy


For thousands of years, olive oil production has been central to many agricultural practices, spanning diverse regions in primarily temperate climates around the world. 


Nowhere is this more evident than in the Mediterranean, where the olive tree has stood as a symbol of peace for centuries. Today, the changing climate affects us all, even threatening the crops that have sustained us for centuries.


But now, GIS techology is allowing proactive measures to understand the cultivation of olives and other crops in vulnerable regions and ensure the sustainability of this vital industry.


Calendar 2025


10 MARCH 2025

AOA / NFF National Horticulture Roadshow Back to Basics Field Day

Hunter Valley, New South Wales Adina Vineyard & Olive Grove

Registrations opening soon!


Following overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees at past events, plans are also underway for similar "Back to Basics" events to be held in Western Australia and Victoria during 2025.


Watch this space for dates and more information.


 

To include your event in our next edition, or update your existing event details, please reach out to Laura at comms@australianolives.com.au

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Contact Us

For Friday Olive Extracts editorial and advertising enquiries, email Laura at comms@australianolives.com.au


Visit the Australian Olive Association website