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Farmers are living up to their reputation as eternal optimists, dismissing the risks and costs from global trade wars, widespread economic uncertainty or drought.
Three quarters of Australian farm sector producers expect economic conditions to improve or remain stable over the next 12 months.
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Image: National Farmers Federaion President David Jochinke - not happy. Sheep Central.
Australian agriculture is not happy with Treasurer Jim Chalmers latest Federal Budget, citing its lack of investment in rural and regional Australia.
The National Farmers Federation said the Federal Budget underscored how critical the upcoming election will be to deliver the key investments needed to secure and grow Australian agriculture in an increasingly uncertain environment.
The NFF called on the government to invest in Australian agriculture prior to Monday night's 2025-26 budget hand-down, claiming any stall in investment would be a significant setback for the economy in the face of global uncertainty. Read the media release here.
| | Movement restrictions confirmed for olive fruit in SA fruit fly quarantine areas | | |
Restrictions apply once again this year around movement of olive fruit for processing, from within or through a designated fruit fly zone.
SA processors are on the ball and up to speed with the mandated protocols, which require the following steps to be undertaken by growers:
- Book an inspection by PIRSA to obtain a signed official Movement Certificate to approve transport of fruit.
- Contact your processor to book and let them know the fruit is from a fruit fly zone.
- Package your fruit according to the relevant transportation protocols (e.g. olives from a red zone must be in shrink-wrapped or covered bins).
- On arrival at processor, reiterate that the olives are from a fruit fly zone and present your signed Movement Certificate.
The processor will then complete and forward to PIRSA a Biosecurity SA Plant Quarantine Standard declaration, confirming that olives from a fruit fly affected area in South Australia have been received and processed in accordance with an Inspector’s Direction Certificate issued by PIRSA.
| | *Note: these protocols are mandatory under Section 51 of the Plant Health Act 2009 and penalties of up to $10,000 apply for providing false or misleading information. We also want to uphold the Australian olive industry’s reputation for responsible and sustainable operation, so please ensure that if your grove and fruit are impacted by the movement requirements, you follow all of the correct procedures at all times. | | | |
Image: Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni, Qfly). PIRSA.
We’ll follow up with further information as it becomes available. In the meantime, contact your processor for assistance if you have any questions, or visit the PIRSA website.
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A major coalition of rural and healthcare organisations has called for immediate action to address the mental health crisis in agriculture.
The coalition of about 30 organisations, including the Norco Co-operative, have released a joint statement to address the crisis disproportionally affecting people in agriculture.
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Image: Side-by-side vehicles were involved in 14 deaths last year, up from four in 2023. ABC News: Morgan Timms
A farm vehicle often promoted as a safer alternative to the notoriously dangerous all terrain vehicle (ATV) has become the leading cause of unintentional deaths on Australian farms.
New statistics from AgHealth Australia show accidents involving side-by-side vehicles (SSVs) contributed the most to reported deaths on farms nationally in 2024, despite being fitted with seatbelts and rollover protection cages.
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In Australia, farming is a constant battle with elements and economics. From unpredictable weather to rising costs, there's always something gnawing into profits - quite literally, in this case.
Yes above all, pests are actually a farmer's greatest challenge, and everything from insects to rodents can cause expensive destruction of crops, livestock and infrastructure. In fact, Australian farmers fork out an average of $11,000 every year on pest control just to keep their operations running smoothly.
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South Australian farmers pushed to the brink by drought have joined the state opposition on the steps of Parliament House calling for more government action.
About 20 primary producers travelled from around the state to hear from Premier Peter Malinauskas during question time, as they grapple with record low rainfalls and water shortages.
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MOST of Queensland and parts of New South Wales, the Northern Territory and South Australia have now received rain in one of the most widespread weather systems in recent memory.
The slow-moving front has been hovering over the channel country, with rain now falling in the big river catchments that feed into Lake Eyre – being the Georgina, Diamantina and Bulloo Rivers, along with the Cooper Creek.
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Our Back to Basics events are designed to provide key information to new olive growers and those thinking about joining the industry.
The focus is on how grape growers can leverage their existing enterprise to grow olives and make the most of olive trees they may already have in their vineyard. However, the information is for anyone looking to enter the olive industry and useful for existing growers as a refresher session.
Register now to find out more about site selection, varieties, irrigation, grove management, pruning, pests and diseases and harvest options.
| | The National Horticulture Roadshow is being delivered by the NFF Horticulture Council with funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) through the Showcasing Australian Horticulture grant. | | |
This highly-acclaimed and comprehensive program will be delivered by Pablo Canamasas, international olive oil consultant, processing expert and EVOO judge.
The course covers every aspect of processing quality olive oil, from grove management for optimal fruit quality to best-practice processing and storage.
Along the way you’ll learn a lot about olive oil chemistry, and the practical aspects of oil extraction.
| | This is part of the Olive levy project Australian olive industry communications and extension program (OL22000), funded by Hort Innovation, using the Hort Innovation olive research and development levy, co-investment from the Australian Olive Association and contributions from the Australian Government. | | |
Got something to sell? Looking to buy?
OliveBiz will take you straight to your target market!
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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.
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Image: Olive fields near Villafranca de los Barros, Spain. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
If the US government carries through its threat to impose tariffs on European olive oil, it will probably affect American consumers more than European and Spanish exporters, a Spanish industry representative said.
| | French olive oil production is expected to reach between 5,000 and 5,200 metric tons in the 2024/25 crop year, about seven percent above the five-year average. | | |
The olive tree is one of the most iconic symbols of the Mediterranean basin, deeply intertwined with the region's history, economy, and culture.
But how did this tree, originally a wild species, come to dominate landscapes across the Mediterranean?
A recent study sheds light on the remarkable journey of the olive tree over the past 3,700 years, revealing the key role of human activity in its spread and success in the Central Mediterranean.
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The Italian olive oil sector is undergoing a comprehensive relaunch with the introduction of the National Olive Plan draft, aiming to increase production volumes and reduce costs through public support and restructuring.
The plan also focuses on strengthening the supply chain, fostering collaboration between operators, creating an interprofessional organization, and implementing a new quality certification system to enhance the recognition and sustainability of top-quality extra virgin olive oil in Italy.
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Food fraud occurs when products that do not meet consumer expectations reach the market and, in extreme cases, this can lead to health problems.
To combat this misleading and critical practice in the food sector, a team from the University of Barcelona has published new studies presenting technologies to verify the geographical origin of two food products: virgin olive oil—emblematic of the Mediterranean diet—and pine nuts, the most expensive nuts on the market.
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Image: Olive pickers in Jaen worked nine hours a day during the harvest last year - Alex Camara/Anadolu via Getty Images.
One hundred thousand olive trees are to be uprooted in the south of Spain to make way for solar farms.
The Junta de Andalucía, the regional government, is using a Franco-era law to carry out forced expropriations from centuries-old olive groves in the Province of Jaén, which is known as the “olive oil capital of the world”.
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Friday Olive Extracts is back for 2025, bringing the latest industry news and events direct to your inbox each week.
As THE eto 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!
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Italian extra virgin olive oil exports reached €2.5 billion in 2024, a 45 percent increase from the previous year, helping drive Italian agri-food exports to a record €69 billion.
The United States is the biggest market for Italian olive oil, with exports to Japan also increasing significantly.
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Calendar 2025
28 MARCH - HAPPENING TODAY!
Olives WA Annual General Meeting
Online
Register via entries@oliveswa.com.au
7 APRIL
AOA / NFF National Horticulture Roadshow Back to Basics Field Day - VIC
Inverleigh, Victoria - Clydebank Farm
15 APRIL
AOA / NFF National Horticulture Roadshow Back to Basics Field Day - WA
Cowaramup, Western Australia - Olio Bello
Register now!
16 - 17 APRIL
AOA Olive Oil Processing Workshop
Cowaramup, Western Australia - Olio Bello
Register now!
ENTRIES NOW OPEN
Royal Tasmanian Fine Food Awards 2025
Olive Products Awards entries close 3 August
Online entries, schedule 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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