21 August 2026

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Today's top story

Spring outlook shows bushfire risk increases as El Niño loads the dice

After historic fires marred Europe's summer, experts are cautioning against complacency ahead of Australia's warm season, with the fire risk increasing in most states and territories over the coming months.

Australia

Prevention and preparedness in focus this Biosecurity Week

By Laura Thomas

Grove biosecurity is more important than ever, as demand for premium Australian olives and the industry’s reputation for quality continue to grow.

Strong national biosecurity ensures high-quality food supply, healthy farms and agriculture sector, access to export markets, a resilient economy and thriving local communities.

Driving home this very important message to olive growers – and all Australians - is National Biosecurity Week, which begins on Monday.

Read more about this important annual event and why prevention and preparedness is paramount.

Hunter Olive Show celebrates 20 Years

The Hunter Olive Show is celebrating a significant milestone in 2026, with the annual competition marking its 20th year.

The regional New South Wales event continues to provide an important opportunity for olive growers and producers to have their olive oils and table olives assessed and benchmarked by experienced judges.

Organisers are thrilled to welcome back Chief Judge Dr Soumi Paul Mukhopadhyay, who will again lead the judging panel.

Entries are now open. Visit the website for important dates, class and award information, entry submission and more.

Making the most of Australian Made: leveraging certification for export success

Explore how you can leverage the trusted Australian Made logo to strengthen your brand, build buyer confidence, and enhance your market positioning overseas.

Register for the free webinar on 1 September.

AOA Classifieds

Got something to sell? Want to buy?

If you’ve got something industry-related to sell, you can reach your target market directly with our grower-to-grower service - AOA Classifieds.

Our online classifieds are 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!

Classifieds start from as little as $44 for AOA members ($110 for non-members) and are online now at www.australianolives.com.au/classifieds

For details, rates, or to create a classified, hit the button below.

Share road safety responsibility: NHVR plea after increase in deaths from heavy vehicle crashes on Australia’s rural roads

The call comes during Rural Road Safety month, as the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) shared data showing both the number of heavy vehicle crashes and resulting fatalities on Australia’s rural roads have jumped.

Stay safe around rail tracks and crossings

Rail tracks and crossings are a common sight across roadways and private land in regional Australia.

Rail Safety Week was recognised last week, urging Australians to stay safe around the country's 33,000km of rail tracks and 20,000 railway crossings.

Farmsafe Australia led the call for farmers and rural community members, releasing the latest in its Toolbox Talks series.

Backpacker visa approval pause worries rural communities that rely on international workers

Farmers fear a federal government pause on working holiday visa approvals will rob them of an essential workforce and put Australia's food security at risk.

Two in five farmers want out of the industry and women face unique and rising pressures

For most farmers, what they do for a living is not just a job. 

It is a responsibility bestowed upon them and one that has been carried over across generations.  

But a new report has found that Australia is facing a potential exodus of farmers with two in five considering leaving the industry.  

International

Inside El Niño: Super El Niño threatens Spain's olive harvests

Spain is the world's biggest producer of olive oil, employing hundreds of thousands of people and even millions during peak harvest months. But this year, extreme heat and drought are posing unprecedented threats to the industry, with experts warning that another food price crisis could be on the way.

Why olive farmers are struggling to survive amid an olive oil boom

Olive oil’s rising prices are more than a cost-of-living story.

Prices for olive oil set to rise again due to crop issues

In 2026, European farmers faced significant challenges: abnormal heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and devastating wildfires. Of particular concern is the new olive harvest – producers are already warning of a sharp increase in prices for olive oil as early as autumn, according to agronews.ua.

Black olive crop failed severely, even with high prices, losses could not be compensated.

Following the torrential storms of 2025, thousands of black olive trees in the mountainous region of Nghe An province were broken, uprooted, or severely damaged. As a result, this year's olive harvest suffered a serious failure, with yields in many areas only a fraction of those of previous years.

A 3,700-year-old olive tree in Portugal keeps producing olives as old trunk sections sprout again, revealing how one of nature’s longest-lived trees can repeatedly rejuvenate itself across thousands of years

Some trees are old enough to make human history look surprisingly recent. In Portugal, ancient olive trees have been estimated at more than 2,000 years old, with one in the Alentejo region assigned an age of about 3,713 years.

What really happens when you eat olive oil every day? Nutrition experts explain

Olive oil is one of the healthiest pantry staples you can stock up on. It’s rich in beneficial fats and provides antioxidants and essential nutrients, too. For this reason, olive oil is often touted as a nutritious food that’s worth eating regularly. What will happen if you do? Here’s a deep dive into how consuming olive oil daily might affect your body, according to dietitians.

Can olive oil for eyes really smooth out those wrinkles?

Ever wonder how Cleopatra kept her glow? Legend has it she relied on more than just milk baths; she was a huge fan of olive oil.

Calendar 2026

21 August

Entries close, 2026 Australian International Olive Awards

www.internationaloliveawardsaustralia.com.au

28 August

Awards presentation dinner, 2026 Royal Adelaide Olive Awards - hosted by Olives South Australia

www.olivessouthaustralia.org.au

28 August

Entries close for table olives and tapenades, Hunter Olive Show - Hunter Valley, NSW

www.hunterolives.asn.au/how-to-enter

3 September

Entries close, WA Olive Awards

www.oliveswa.com.au

11 September

Entries close for olive oil, Hunter Olive Show - Hunter Valley, NSW

www.hunterolives.asn.au/how-to-enter

8 October

Awards ceremony, WA Olive Awards

www.oliveswa.com.au

15 October

Awards presentation, Hunter Olive Show - Hunter Valley, NSW

www.hunterolives.asn.au/how-to-enter

Email Laura to have your event included.

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Friday Olive Extracts brings the latest industry news and events direct to your inbox each week.

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