20 February 2026

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Today's top story

Mandatory Health Star Ratings a blow for olive industry

By Laura Thomas

Health Star Rating information will soon be compulsory on all packaged food in Australia.

In a move designed to increase implementation and boost consumer trust, the Federal Government has voted to make the system mandatory.

Find out how the change will affect the olive industry.

Australia

Illegal fishing vessels threaten Australia's agricultural sector as biosecurity concerns grow

Australian primary producers say they are concerned about the risk of foreign pests crippling entire industries if overseas fishing boats continue to enter the nation's waters illegally.

Campaign shows farm safety and success go hand in hand

When Rob Abbott thinks about safety on farms, he doesn’t think about a long list of rules or extra paperwork – just the moment he came close to not returning home.

Dry January hits southern Australia as east coast lows drop off the radar

Large parts of Australia are experiencing one of their driest starts to the year.

The 'farm-fluencers' taking agriculture online to bridge the rural divide

Farmers are moonlighting as content creators in an effort to bridge the urban and rural divide.

AOA Classifieds

Got something to sell? Want to buy?

If you’ve got something industry-related to sell, you can reach your target market directly with our grower-to-grower service - AOA Classifieds.

Our online classifieds are 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!

Classifieds start from as little as $44 for AOA members ($110 for non-members) and are online now at www.australianolives.com.au/classifieds

For details, rates, or to create a classified, hit the button below.

From succession planning to inherited debt, there's pressure and joy in taking on a family business

Sam Mackaway's future has been planned for as long as he can remember.

"I always wanted my family to grow up on a farm," he says.

Webinar: 2024/25 Horticulture Statistics Handbook launch

Hort Innovation is inviting growers to attend the Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook 2024/25 launch webinar.

As the leading data resource for growers and the broader horticulture community, the handbook brings together independent, whole-of-industry data and provides insights into the trends that shaped the Australian horticulture industry during 2024/25.

Register now to join the webinar on Thursday 26 February, 11am (AEDT).

US elevates agriculture to national security priority

The United States Government has elevated agriculture as a key element of national security for the first time in history with the implementation of its new National Farm Security Action Plan.

International

Producers sound the alarm: Why are olive oil prices falling in the EU?

Experts say that production is now returning to more normal levels after a hit from heatwaves and droughts.

I asked two farmers what the future of farming should look like — here’s what they had to say

Regenerative agriculture has been around for centuries. In more recent years, grocery brands have been adopting the traditional farming method and marketing it to shoppers. You’ll find yogurts, grains, olive oils, and more advertising their regenerative products.

Send us YOUR news!

Friday Olive Extracts brings 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!

Decades-old olive orchard in Uri awaits revival after years of neglect

At the Fruit Plant Nursery in Salamabad on the outskirts of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, rows of olive trees stand quietly across nearly one hectare of land — an orchard planted nearly four decades ago with high hopes under an international collaboration, but later weakened by years of neglect and inadequate scientific management.

Croatia plans biomass-powered data center using olive oil industry waste

A data center project in Croatia is taking an innovative approach to both power generation and waste management by using discarded material from the olive oil industry as biofuel.

New science rewrites the origins of olive cultivation in Italy

New paleogenetic and archaeobotanical techniques are challenging long-held assumptions about when olives were first cultivated in Italy, pointing to earlier and more regionalized beginnings.

Morocco’s olive producers brace for bumper crop after years of strain

In Morocco’s heartland, farmers are watching their olive groves with renewed optimism. 

Jordan posts lowest olive oil output since 2009

Jordan’s live oil production in the 2025 season totaled 16,342 tons, down 54.4% from last season’s 35,828 tons and 34.4% below the 2012-2024 average of 24,923 tons, according to the Department of Statistics’ olive oil mill survey released Tuesday, Petra reports.

Calendar 2026

25 February

Pressing ahead: Clean energy strategies for Australia's olive producers
Free AOA webinar, 11am AEDT
Register

26 March

AOA Back to Basics Field Day, Adelaide Uni Roseworthy Campus and NOVA site, Roseworthy SA

Book now

Email Laura to have your event included.

For Friday Olive Extracts editorial and advertising enquiries, email Laura at comms@australianolives.com.au