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A process being developed in Loxton is reducing water use and improving quality in an attempt to grow the state’s olive industry.
The joint project between the Australian Olive Association and the University of South Australia aims to boost the country’s table olive production to 100,000 tonnes per year – 40 times its current output – by making the production process less wasteful.
Called “Olives the Australian Way”, the Loxton-based project has developed a way to use chemistry to produce table olives instead of the tremendous amounts of water needed in traditional processing methods.
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Image: Attendees at this week's Back to Basics Field Day, held at Clydebank Farm, Inverleigh, Victoria. John Leonard, Spotlight Productions.
By Laura Thomas
The Australian Olive Association has continued the roll out of its educational field day program in 2025, providing a fresh crop of industry newcomers with the foundation for success.
A series of Back to Basics Field Days have been held across Australia in recent months as part of the National Farmers Federation National Horticulture Roadshow, providing grassroots learning to new olive growers and those thinking about joining the industry.
The AOA is looking forward to the next field day in Western Australia on 15 April, at Olio Bello, Cowaramup. Read the full story to find out what these events are all about.
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Image: A jocular take on South Australia's dry conditions near Gawler Belt. Steve Dennis / ABC News.
Drought relief amounting to $55 million will flow to South Australian communities in desperate need of relief, with the state government announcing the additional funding a month after farmers made an urgent plea for more help.
The government said the new package was on top of $18 million announced in November, and would go towards such measures as rebates, infrastructure upgrades, financial counselling and mental health support, as well as assisting charities that transport fodder.
Read full details of the drought assistance package here. For more information on drought support available visit pir.sa.gov.au/drought
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Australia's current target is for 82 per cent of electricity to be generated by renewables by 2030, but, on current trends, it’s an uphill battle to meet it.
The way projects have been proposed, developed and managed in regional communities has caused divisions, and ultimately delays, for decades — with wind and transmission lines among those continuing to face degrees of opposition.
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The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) welcomes the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s
Green Paper on National Food Security Preparedness as a timely and vital call to action.
“This report underscores what farmers have been saying for years – food security is national security,” NFF President David Jochinke said.
“Australia is home to a world class food system, but that doesn’t mean we’re immune to shocks and disruptions.
“Our food supply chain faces growing risks from geopolitical tensions, climate change, and supply chain vulnerabilities that demand urgent attention.”
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Australian farmers are calling for a practical, partnership-based approach to sustainability, ahead of the Federal Election.
The National Farmers’ Federation has compiled a list of tangible changes for consideration by political parties.
“We need to stop the methodology mayhem and reduce red and green tape,” NFF President David Jochinke said.
| | Fruit fly outbreaks continue to impact SA olive growers | | |
Olives South Australia has confirmed fruit fly outbreaks across South Australia are continuing to cause disruption to industry.
The outbreaks have extended quarantine zones, delayed reinstatement dates, and increased compliance costs for those transporting olives for oil. PIRSA continues to enforce secure transport and rapid processing conditions, and both growers and processors must be certified.
SA processors are up to date with mandated protocols which require growers to:
- Book an inspection by PIRSA to obtain a signed official Movement Certificate to approve transport of fruit.
- Contact their processor to book and let them know the fruit is from a fruit fly zone.
- Package their 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 a signed Movement Certificate.
Visit the PIRSA website for grower and producer information, outbreak maps and more.
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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: The prototype of the "electronic nose". Olivo News.
It's called “Oleum Spec” and it is the first “electronic nose” in Italy, capable, thanks to artificial intelligence and machine learning, of self-learning and accurately evaluating the organoleptic qualities of extra virgin olive oil.
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Spain’s Olive Oil producers and Germany’s carmakers face growing uncertainty as US tariffs drive up costs. Industry leaders warn of rising prices and economic pressure.
Although the EU offered to eliminate tariffs on both sides, Trump rejected the proposal, arguing that tariffs are necessary for US self-sufficiency.
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The Nobel Prize-winning trade economist Paul Krugman called the sweeping tariffs announced by President Donald J. Trump “the biggest trade shock in history.”
The tariffs include a 20 percent duty on imports from all European Union countries, including Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal.
U.S.-based producers, importers, and European experts have predicted that the tariffs would make olive oil a lot more expensive, leading to a pullback in consumption in favor of cheaper, less healthy seed oils.
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Image: Olive News.
The "Scientific Society of Olive Encyclopaedists" (4E) calls on olive-producing countries to unite under the 'umbrella' of the IOC, creating a unified front against US tariffs.
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A study by the Monell Chemical Senses Center reveals that extra virgin olive oil contains oleocanthal, a compound that mimics the effects of ibuprofen.
Consuming 50 g of this oil daily can provide significant pain relief benefits, including potentially reducing headaches and arthritis pain.
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Greece’s olive oil yield for the season is expected to reach 250,000 tons, a significant increase from the previous year.
Despite some regions producing less than expected due to weather conditions, overall olive oil production in Greece has been robust, leading to frustration among producers over falling prices.
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The İzmir World Olive Gene Bank harbors the genetic material of 364 distinct olive varieties from 18 nations, spanning from France to Morocco and from Greece to Chile, according to a recent statement by Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı.
Beyond its global scope, the center is also entrusted with the preservation of 100 indigenous Turkish olive cultivars, fortifying the nation's botanical legacy.
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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 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!
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The production of olive oil, a cornerstone of Mediterranean diet, faces important threats from recurring droughts and the anticipated decline in cyclical solar activity.
These escalating challenges cast uncertainty on the long-term sustainability of olive-growing regions.
Here we draw on 8000 years of olive pollen data - closely related to flowering, fertilisation and fruit production - to identify the key long-term determinants influencing olive yields.
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Calendar 2025
15 APRIL
AOA / NFF National Horticulture Roadshow Back to Basics Field Day - WA
Cowaramup, Western Australia - Olio Bello
16 - 17 APRIL
AOA Olive Oil Processing Workshop
Cowaramup, Western Australia - Olio Bello
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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