17 February 2023

Brought to you by Australian & New Zealand Olivegrower & Processor www.olivebiz.com.au

Today's Top Story

Olive oil is so, so expensive in Spain that right now it is cheaper to buy it in Australia

One piece of information: on December 31, 2022, olive oil was worth 35.2% more than on the same day the previous year. We have been warning for months that the Spanish olive grove was headed for a terribly complicated situation and, with the figures in hand, we can only confirm that this is the case.

Australia

Why falling sea freight costs are a massive win for Australian producers/exporters

Food such as grapes, citrus, and grain may be shipped to more overseas markets this year due to falling global sea freight rates.

But unfortunately, transport is still an issue at home …

Farmers, freight and councils call for road network rebuild after months of flooding

Severe flooding has left thousands of kilometres of roads across the country impassable. (Supplied: GrainGrowers)

A new roads alliance says a $5.5 billion investment into Australia’s rural road network is needed to help put downward pressure on grocery prices and support regional economies.

Expert commentary: From La Niña to El Niño

Climate models indicate La Niña is on the way out, with El Niño conditions expected later this year. CSIRO Climate Scientist Dr Wenju Cai explains what this means for Australia’s weather and how changing conditions will affect the country.

Got something to sell? Or want to buy? Go direct to your target market – olive growers and producers

If you’ve got something industry-related to sell, you can reach your target market directly with Olivebiz Classifieds - like Jared, who has a tractor and two harvesters for sale. 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. To arrange a listing, contact Gerri at editor@olivegrower.com.au.

National Farmer Wellbeing Survey

The National Farmers’ Federation is running the first-ever National Farmer Wellbeing Survey and you’re all invited to take part.

The Survey aims to:

better understand some of the key issues facing Australian farmers nationally , particularly in light of recent natural disasters and fluctuating market conditions;
compare and contrast perspectives and experiences across farming sectors, regions, and demographics;
unearth data and insights that will help in shaping the inaugural National Farmer Wellbeing Report, to drive media conversation around key issues relating to farmer wellbeing in Australia today; and
help drive recommendations on how the sector, and Australians, can better support our nation’s farmers.

The simple online survey takes approximately five minutes to complete and all responses are completely anonymous.

Have your say here.

Rural Bank predicts weather and inputs to hinder horticulture's boyuant production

It’s sadly a case of the "same old story" for horticulture heading into 2023 with predictions of squeezed margins over the next six months with high packaging, fuel, freight, fertiliser and labour costs expected to remain a factor.

Bush revegetation boosts farmer Steve Matthews' mental health after years of drought

Steve Matthews has made revegetating his property a big part of his mental health journey.

(ABC Riverina: Victor Petrovic)

Steve Matthews didn't know it at the time, but he was sleepwalking into a crisis. The 1990s had seen several good years for the fifth-generation sheep and grain farmer … Then came the Millennium Drought.

Drought, floods, whatever you’re going through, we’ve really gotta talk about this stuff - and act on dealing with it.

Farmers unite to target spray drift amid damage reports

Australia’s top agricultural peak‐bodies have approached government regulators and enforcement agencies about the potential for tougher laws and expanded enforcement activity amid an increase in the number of spray drift incidents, estimated to have caused millions of dollars in damage.

To play your part in reducing the risk, there’s great information on managing spray drift from Agriculture Victoria here.

Events

Save the date – AOA Field Day: I’ve bought a grove … now what do I do?

The resurgence in enthusiasm for olive production has seen a number of groves change hands recently. Not all newcomers are up to speed with grove management, so the AOA is putting them and experts together to provide simple information on best practice management.

Where: Andrea and David Sefton’s grove, Seymour, Victoria

When: 26 March

We’ll update with more details over the next couple of weeks.

Webinar launch for 2021/22 Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook

Join Hort Innovation for the launch of the 2021/22 Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook, to learn the most up-to-date insights and trends in the horticulture industry.

Produced annually, the leading resource for the nation's horticulture statistics and market information is now in its 8th edition and includes data for 75 industry sectors, including olives.

Event details:

Online webinar

Tuesday, 28 February - 10.30am to 11.30am AEDT

International

Nutritionist’s tips on curating a cancer-fighting diet

Several risk factors for cancer fall outside of our control - from age to gender to genetics - yet diet is one aspect of our lives we can control to reduce cancer risk. Following a healthy diet is one of the most effective ways to boost overall health and reduce the risk of developing cancer.

This is all about the good old Med diet and its “defining feature” of “cooking with olive oil.” One to share.

Turkey-Syria earthquake: Drone shows massive crack in olive grove

Drone footage has shown just how devastating the earthquake has been to parts of Turkey's landscape.

How do you move your harvesting equipment across that?

From Andalusia to Madrid, Spain shocked at wave of olive thefts

The soaring price of olives and olive oil has led to an epidemic of fruit thefts and damage to groves across Spain.

Project to improve sustainability of Algeria’s olive farms bears fruit

Program for the Support of Agriculture (PASA).

By improving harvesting and milling best practices, PASA seeks to improve the economic potential of olive oil production.

Make juicy, flavorful chicken by marinating it in olive brine

Photo: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann.

Brining is an excellent way to season poultry. It imparts flavor and can safeguard against moisture loss in a protein that’s often at-risk for dryness. Instead of relying solely on good ol’ salt … or a bevy of ingredients that you need to chop and massage, try this single-ingredient marinade that packs its own panache. Make juicy, well-seasoned chicken, with nothing more than olive juice.

One way to value-add a jar of table olives for your customers …

Olive oil consumption slumps in Europe as high prices persist

Santiago Miralles, deputy president of the Spanish Federation of Food Banks, recently said rising olive oil prices are transforming the product into a luxury good. “We bought olive oil for €2.33, but now it is up to €5.00 per liter,” he told local media. “It is not a necessity anymore; it is a luxury.”

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

A new year has started and Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) will continue to bring all the latest industry news and events to your Inbox every week. THE place to share olive industry news, event details and reminders, our industry e-newsletter keeps growing in popularity and we now have nearly 4000 subscribers across the globe. If you’re not one of them, you can sign up here.

And please remember that FOE is YOUR e-newsletter, so we’re keen to receive your news and help spread the word. Just email your information to Editor Gerri Nelligan at editor@olivegrower.com.au - it’s free, and the best way to reach your fellow industry members!

New research links olive oil consumption and reduced autoimmune occurrence

Researchers found that olive oil consumption promotes healthy gut microbiota and hinders the development of gut pathogens that impair immune function.