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Image: Plant Health Australia.
Growers play an essential role in protecting Australia's agricultural industries against pests and diseases.
In 2024, Plant Health Australia developed educational resources designed to help Plant Industry Members educate their own members about the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD).
This article highlights the vital contributions of growers.
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Since early 2024, Plant Health Australia’s (PHA) Biosecurity Planning team successfully completed biosecurity planning projects and developed resources for nine different agriculture industries, and they plan to maintain this momentum.
The team is set to develop and update biosecurity resources for Australia’s plant industries in 2025, including new projects for the ginger, pineapple and olive industries
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Farmers have welcomed new interest rate cuts as the cost of feeding and clothing the world continues to soar.
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said city borrowers weren’t the only ones celebrating the first signs of relief from the cost-of-living crunch following the Reserve Bank’s decision.
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Image: Australian Farmers / Zoe Carter.
How does someone who spent their childhood in the middle of Geelong City in Victoria end up, not just working in agriculture, but literally getting her hands dirty at some of the country’s most remote cattle stations?!
Zoe Carter is using her incredible story to encourage others to do the same. She is a valuable advocate for life on the land, highlighting both the romantic moments of county life but also the truth.
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With nearly 3.5 million Australians going hungry, the fight against food waste is gaining ground.
Australia throws out over 7.6 million tonnes of food each year, enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground 10 times over, but some progress is being made to reduce waste as the cost of living crisis bites.
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The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling for a National Food Security Preparedness Strategy, ahead of the federal election.
NFF President David Jochinke said the impending election would be a watershed moment for Australian agriculture.
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ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb has stressed the positive impacts of a competitive economy for consumers as she outlined the agency’s priorities for the 2025-26 financial year.
Speaking at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia event in Sydney last week, Ms Cass-Gottlieb outlined the agency’s annual compliance and enforcement priorities which include working decisively on consumer protection, promoting competitive markets, and clear and accurate pricing information for products and essential services.
News supermarket supply chains will be a focus for Australia's competition watchdog over the next two years is being welcomed by farmers and producers this week. Find out how the National Farmers Federation responded, here.
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Mobile coverage obligation will deliver one giant leap for rural Australia
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed an announcement that the Federal Government has committed to introducing a Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO).
If enshrined by legislation, the world-first proposal means telecommunications companies will be legally bound to guarantee basic, outdoor voice and text mobile coverage across every corner of Australia.
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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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Retired hens revitalise olive groves in Cyprus
Organic farmers in Cyprus have recruited hundreds of retired hens to fertilise olive groves in a pilot project they say boosts yields, counters disease, and helps to manage food waste.
Saved from slaughter after their egg-laying years, hens peck and poop to their hearts’ content among olive trees at the organically certified Akaki Grove, on the green foothills of the Troodos mountains west of Nicosia.
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Image: Uprooted showcased the potential of olive roots in furniture production. Dezeen.com
Spanish designer Jorge Penadés has unveiled a Madrid Design Festival exhibition, showing how the discarded roots of olive trees could be turned into design objects.
The industrialisation of olive oil production in Andalucía has led to a mass unearthing of native trees, many of which are chopped up and sold as firewood.
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Spain's Malaga province agri-food cooperative Dcoop achieved a record turnover last year reaching 1.55 billion euros after an increase of 10.33% compared to 2023.
This growth in turnover can be explained by the high olive oil price in the early and middle part of 2024 and good sales of olives, although the other activities (supplies, livestock, cereals, wine and nuts) also contributed to the Antequera-based cooperative obtaining the highest figure in its history.
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In response to a devastating drought that has severely impacted the country’s olive oil production, Morocco has taken a significant step by approving the import of Brazilian olive oil. | |
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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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Olive oil prices will be lower within three months, according to a Food Navigator report quoting leading Italian supplier Filippo Berio.
The last two years had been difficult for olive producers and brands due to high temperatures and drought conditions in Spain, which supplied 50% of global olive oil production, the 5 February report said.
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Olive oil, a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, has gained global popularity due to its health benefits, versatility, and wide applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Extracted from olives, this nutrient-rich oil is a key component in healthy diets, particularly for its rich content of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.
With increasing awareness of nutrition, shifting consumer preferences toward organic and natural products, and expanding industrial applications, the olive oil market is witnessing significant growth worldwide.
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When I first heard about olive oil coffee, I felt my stomach turn. Yes, I love coffee and I love olive oil. But mixing the two? I wasn’t so sure.
Certainly an interesting way to get your daily dose of liquid gold - could coffee and olive oil really be the perfect pairing?
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Calendar 2025
9 MARCH
Olives WA EVOO Tasting workshop, led by Isabelle Okis
Osborne Park, Western Australia
Email entries@oliveswa.com.au to register
10 MARCH
AOA / NFF National Horticulture Roadshow Back to Basics Field Day - NSW
Hunter Valley, New South Wales - Adina Vineyard and Olive Grove
Registrations close Monday 3 March!
28 MARCH
Olives WA Annual General Meeting
Online
Email entries@oliveswa.com.au to register
7 APRIL
AOA / NFF National Horticulture Roadshow Back to Basics Field Day - VIC
Inverleigh, Victoria - Clydebank Farm
Registrations opening soon!
To include your event in our next edition, or update your existing event details, email Laura at comms@australianolives.com.au
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