01 September 2023

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

Today's Top Story

Supermarket shoppers blast 'ridiculous' price hike of Woolworths olive oil

It appears there's no respite for Australians as the cost of a host of supermarket staples continue to rise. The latest product hit by inflation is olive oil. Shoppers have expressed their shock over the Woolworths own brand one-litre bottle, which has now hit a pricey $10, up $1.20 in just 12 months.

The story says both of the big supermarkets source product from Spain/the Med, where shortages have increased prices. Perhaps it’s time to go local. And a loaf of bread has gone up way more than that in the last 12 months …

Australia

Canada, USA, UK and China top list of foreign owners in Australian water market

Almost 40,000 gigalitres of water entitlement is issued across Australia. (ABC: Bec Whetham)

Canada, the USA, China and United Kingdom are the largest foreign owners of Australian water. A new report, released by the Australian Tax Office (ATO), will show that foreign ownership of water increased by 0.3 per cent in the year to June 2022.

Warm winter weather a precursor to spring scorcher across Australia this year

Unseasonable heat across Australia this winter has resulted in all but one capital experiencing temperatures ranking in the top three warmest on record.

Rapid bushfire detection was promised after the Black Summer fires. It may have hit a roadblock

Rapid detection of bushfires using satellites may be the future of fire-fighting, but there are technical challenges. (Shutterstock: Dima Zell)

In late 2019, as bushfires lit up Australia's east coast, Simon Jones received an urgent call from the Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA). The RMIT remote sensing expert and his colleagues, along with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), were testing an algorithm to automatically detect bushfires from a feed of weather satellite image-data.

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. 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.

Supporting data sharing to improve food security

A project that aims to improve the security of farm data will give farmers the confidence to share their data and will drive innovation to enhance the productivity of Australian agriculture, a Federation data governance specialist says.

More varroa mites detected in beehives in Sunraysia region near Victoria-New South Wales border

These bees are free of Varroa mite but it has been found in hives near Baldanald. (ABC Rural: Fiona Breen)

The deadly varroa mite has been detected in beehives in another almond orchard in the Sunraysia region of southern NSW. The detection of the mite at Balranald takes the current outbreak in the Sunraysia and Riverina regions to four properties.

Farmers likely to retire later than those in other industries

ABS data shows that people working in agriculture have the highest average age when it comes to intention to retire.

Injured farm dog becomes TikTok sensation after rounding up sheep from wheelchair

The wheelchair allows Ali to round up sheep despite a farm accident six months ago. (Supplied: Paul Diamond)

When Ali, one of Paul Diamond's "best workers" was badly injured in a traumatic farm accident six months ago, the idea of giving up on the working dog was too hard to bear.

No direct connection to olives, but as the owner of a Kelpie who rounds up everything that moves, I would have to do this and this video just had to be shared. It will add a smile to your day!

Wanted - Australian EVOO

We are looking for a supplier of Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil in larger volumes on a long-term supply basis.

To discuss further please contact Brian Dominic - email Brian@Dominicwinesestate.com or call 0418 832 001.

Opportunities

Join the world’s most important career via AgCAREERSTART - or give someone a start yourself

Know someone who’s 17-25 and keen to get into the agriculture industry? This unique gap-year program provides a paid job, training and development, and the opportunity to build networks within the agriculture industry. Applicants can indicate which farm type and location they’d prefer. A matching process is undertaken to ensure participants are assigned to the type of farms that match their interests and skills.

As a farmer, you can sign up your business to become a host-farm and introduce a young Australian to a rewarding career in agriculture, whilst accessing a workforce member. The AgCAREERSTART team works with you to identify suitable applicants for a placement in your business and will continue to support you through the entire 10-12 month journey on-farm.

AgCAREERSTART pilot is funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Applications for 2024 close on 15 October: find out more and apply here.

GROWER TO GROWER

Have a question? Need some advice? Ask a fellow grower!

The FOE team regularly hears from growers with questions about grove or production practices, or equipment, that they just can’t find the answers to. They’re things other producers are likely know about and/or experienced themselves. So we’ve set up a new Friday Olive Extracts feature, Grower to Grower, where you can send your questions and have them answered by your peers.

Just send the details to editor@olivegrower.com.au and we’ll put them out to the Friday Olive Extracts community - that’s thousands of readers across the globe.

Events

LAST DAY TO ENTER 2023 Australian International Olive Awards

Today is the final day to enter your EVOO, Flavoured Olive Oil and Table Olives into the 2023 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA), with entries closing at 5pm SA time tonight.

Australia’s premier olive competition, with increasing international recognition and status, the AIOA provides benefits for entrants including:

Entries individually assessed and awarded on merit.
All entrants receive comprehensive judging feedback.
Successful judging provides eligibility for OliveCare® certification.
Unprecedented opportunity for international recognition of winning products and producers.
Official AIOA Results Book, providing a great marketing tool for all medal and award winners.
The opportunity to purchase high-resolution professional product images for use in social media, website and media purposes at only $35 plus GST.

Don’t miss the chance to be named Best of Show among an international field - find out more and enter here

“I work so hard and it’s just wonderful to get something for all the hard work. I put my heart and soul into it, and I think it’s paid off with this award…and it’s expensive to make, so the boost in sales is such a bonus. Instead of three bottles, now people will ask for 12 – when it’s won Best in Show, it makes a great present.”

Liz Tonkinson, Leisal Rose, 2021 AIOA Best of Show EVOO

Contract Olive Pruning - Riverland Pruning & Harvest

All aspects of olive pruning - tree training,

re-shaping, re-juvenate,

pruning for shaker or hand harvesting.

All tools supplied.

Fully licensed and insured.

Servicing all areas of SA, VIC and NSW.

Contact Rajab – 0469 718 719

rajabnassiri510@yahoo.com

Closing date extended for WA Olive Awards

The entry period for the 2023 WA Olive Awards has been extended, with the closing date for entries now Thursday, 7 September.

The winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner on 21 October, being held at The Abbey at Chesters, Henley Brook. Tickets will be on sale soon.

All enquiries to Chief Steward – Ellen Slobe on 0411 293 398 or entries@oliveswa.com.au.

Don’t miss out: download the entry form here.

New Zealand

Grove Pruning Field Days

Olives New Zealand is lucky to have the knowledgeable and experienced Andrew Priddle and Neil Smith offering to share their pruning knowledge at various branch field days around New Zealand in the next month.

Be sure to catch one of them at a field day near you:

Mangonui: 20 August, 2pm at Oruaiti River Olives (Ewen Hutchinson) with Andrew Priddle.

Central Otago: 9 September, 1pm at Olive Press Central Otago, Cromwell (Steve Morris) with Neil Smith.

Wairarapa: 17 September, 4pm at Bella Olea, Greytown (Chris Penma) with Andrew Priddle.

Kapiti: 17 September, 1.30pm at Noble Estate with Neil Smith. In conjunction with the Kapiti branch’s annual New Season Oil Tasting and shared lunch from 11am.

Hawke’s Bay: 1 October, 10am at Arataki Grove (combined with the Grove Visit excursion on the NZ EVOO Awards weekend).

Canterbury has already held theirs.

No charge for ONZ Members, $25 for Non-Members. More information here.

International

Spanish olive oil prices hit fresh all-time high: Report

The wholesale price of Spanish extra virgin olive oil hit a fresh all-time high on Tuesday, above €8,200 ($8,880) per metric ton ($8,900), according to Bloomberg. This came as Spain, which produces around 45% of the world’s olive oil, braces for its second devastating harvest in a row.

This year's ripe table olives prices for growers

MANZANILLO: Extra Large/Jumbo - $1,400; Large - $1,675; Medium - $1,700; Small - $1,425 …

No more information, so we don’t know if this is per tonne, or fresh or pickled … but it’s more than decent money!

California olive oil producers weigh the impact of Tropical Storm Hilary

Producers across Southern California welcomed the unseasonable rainfall and reported only minor damage from flooding and mudslides.

There’s interesting discussion in this about the importance of careful planning when siting new groves.

Biophenols in extra virgin olive oil linked to improved outcomes in obesity and prediabetes

Research finds that consuming extra virgin olive oil rich in oleocanthal and oleacein also induces weight loss, a decrease in body mass index and basal glycemia.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

The year is racing by and Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) continues 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!

No respite in Greece as wildfires incinerate ancient olive groves in Makri

(Photo: Hellenic Fire Service).

Wildfires continue to wreak havoc in rural Greece, partially destroying the traditional Makri olive grove and leaving local producers in despair.

Despite olive shortage, oil price hikes, Israeli growers are uprooting their olive trees

Globally, the olive sector is grappling with climate-related challenges while olive oil prices climb in Israel, where imports comprise half of national stockpile, prompting the uprooting of groves due to economic concerns; officials emphasize the need for a local production-import balance and heritage preservation; It's 'erasing our agricultural heritage'

Cultural events in Southern Italy combine music, nature and olive oil

A staple in the culture of Mediterranean populations since ancient times, olive oil is increasingly seen as a means to convey contemporary culture. This summer in Italy, several evening events were focused on mingling between extra virgin olive oil and artistic and cultural expressions