30 MAY 2025

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Today's top story

A land of drought and flooding rains

As towns flood on one end of Australia, large areas further south are experiencing their worst drought on record. The people in these regions are preparing for life in a future climate.

Australia

Lack of rain and floods hits livestock, crops and confidence

Lack of rain, on-farm water and pasture growth is driving cattle, sheep and lambs into saleyards and abattoirs in record numbers, and hampering cropping programs, just as flooding rainfall across parts of New South Wales is impacting livestock survival and movement.

Collins announces $36M in drought support on SA visit

The Federal Government has announced $36 million to help producers prepare and respond to drought through a four-year extension of the Future Drought Fund Communities Program.

The move is being announced by Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins on her visit to drought-hit South Australia this week.

Australian International Olive Awards 2025 – entries open Sunday!

By Laura Thomas

Image: Winners are grinners - some of last year's Australian International Olive Award winners!

You’ve poured your heart and soul into your operation and you think you’ve got a great olive product.

But have you ever wondered how it might stack up against some of the best in Australia and the world?

Entries for the 2025 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA) open this Sunday 1 June - it's time to pit your olives (pun totally intended!) against some of the best in the biz! Read more.

NSW farmers urged to report flood damage quickly

NEW South Wales’ peak farm body is encouraging flood-affected farmers to report damage as soon as possible and access support services as recovery efforts begin across the state’s Hunter and Mid North Coast regions.

The Bureau of Meteorology issues winter long-range forecast

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued its long-range forecast for winter 2025.

While winter is a time for cooler weather, the winter long-range forecast shows day and night temperatures are likely to be above average across Australia for this time of the year.

Increase in value of agricultural land exceeds all other property types, report finds

Farmland has increased in value more than any other Australian property type over the last two decades, a report has found.

The Australian Property Institute's (API) inaugural valuation report shows the value of agricultural land has increased by 256 per cent since 2005, compared to 154 per cent for housing over the same period.

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.

AOA Classifieds

Councils stop short of refusing to collect controversial fire levy

VICTORIA’S councils are opposing the State Government’s emergency services levy, but have stopped short of refusing to collect the controversial tax.

International

Xylella, the damage of misinformation as serious as that of the bacterium

The Italian Association of Olive Oil Mills (AIFO) expresses indignation and deep dismay at the service aired on Wednesday 21 May in the programme Out of the core on Network 4, dedicated to the topic of Xylella fastidiosa.

“A broadcast – it is read in a note from President Elia Pellegrino - who preferred to ride conspiracy theories denied by years of scientific studies rather than tell the truth of the facts and the dramatic consequences that this plant disease has caused and continues to cause”.

Another olive oil shock? Spain fears new price crash

Spain’s olive oil sector is taking another hit. After two tough harvests, farmers are sounding alarms that 2025 may bring a new blow, not from nature but from the market itself.

In a recent statement, the UPA, Union of Small Farmers, issued a rare double alert.

Olive growing, from leaves to biofertilisers is a short step

An interesting circular supply chain project involved one of the largest Italian cooperatives for the production of olives and olive oil. Here's how!

Tunisia’s olive oil export revenues fell 29% in the first half of this season

Tunisia’s olive oil export revenues fell 29 percent in the first half of this season, the state-run Agricultural Observatory said on Wednesday, citing a sharp decline in global prices.

The observatory added that global olive oil prices fell by about 49 percent, significantly impacting the North African country’s revenues from one of its main exports.

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!

Portugal exports €1 billion in olive oil

Portugal's olive oil exports are expected to exceed one billion euros in value in 2024, for the second consecutive year.

Study finds potential for olive mill wastewater in biopesticides

A new study has found that a bioactive compound in olive mill wastewater may have potential for use in the development of biopesticides, Olive Oil Times wrote.

Rwanga plants 20,000 olive saplings in Erbil

Erbil, Kurdistan Region - The Rwanga Foundation on Sunday completed an initiative to plant 20,000 Spanish olive saplings in Erbil to promote environmental sustainability, in partnership with the German development agency (GIZ) and the agriculture ministry.