6 JUNE 2025

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Today's top story

First national stocktake of Australia's food system reveals hidden costs and big opportunities

A new report shines a light on the complex challenges and opportunities facing Australia's $800 billion food system.

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has completed the first-ever national stocktake of our $800 billion food system, which feeds around 100 million people – including 27 million Australians – with food produced by 100,000 farmers.

Australia

Crossing the city-country divide: how do Australian farmers advocate for their industry in an urbanised world?

Two-thirds of the population live in capital cities and have little knowledge about agriculture. We need to bridge that gap – and it starts with listening to each other.

Ag production figures fall as outcomes for some rest on a knife’s edge

The gross value of Australia’s agricultural production is expected to fall by 2.8% to $90.7 billion in 2025-26, driven by lower crop and livestock production volumes, according to the June quarter forecasts released by ABARES.

The value of agricultural production in 2025-26 is tipped to be the third highest on record and worth $97.5 billion when fisheries and forestry are included.

Fuel blind: National security expert warns Australia still ignoring a crisis

Australia is still sleepwalking into a national crisis due to a dangerous lack of fuel security, with significant implications for the country’s food supply and economy, national security expert Air Vice-Marshal John Blackburn (Ret’d) has warned.

Getting your olive oil to market: A simple guide to labelling

By Laura Thomas

It often pays to read the fine print and when selecting a bottle of quality Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, you can bet your customers will do exactly that.

A good label will tell them everything they need to know about their chosen bottle of liquid gold – its character, place of origin, harvest date, quality assurance, best before date and much more.

And while an eye-catching, informative label will make your product stand out from the crowd, it’s important to understand the regulatory requirements for EVOO labelling and ensure you’ve ticked all the right boxes.

Read the full story on the AOA website.

Drought-affected SA farmers call for no or low-interest loans rather than 'a handout'

South Australians battling drought call for interest rate relief for loans so they can feed animals and cover essentials.

The federal government has committed $800,000 for financial counselling service providers in SA and Victoria.

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.

AOA Classifieds

NFF says wage growth must be matched by productivity gains

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has acknowledged the Fair Work Commission’s decision to increase the National Minimum Wage and modern award rates by 3.5 per cent.

NFF Chief Executive Troy Williams said that while the Commission had adopted a measured approach, albeit with an outcome a little higher that employers may have wanted, it is critical that future wage increases are underpinned by genuine and long-term improvements in workforce productivity.

Farmhand Ellie Morris's camera captures rural Australian stories

On a farm in Western Australia's remote north-eastern Wheatbelt, Ellie Morris sits in a tractor with her dog Marley on her knee and a camera at her feet.

While the 24-year-old's main source of income is from her work as a farmhand in Perenjori, 341 kilometres north-east of Perth, her passion is capturing the world around her with her camera.

International

Turkish table olive exports set to reach record-high $250 million

The Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters Association reported that Turkish table olive exports are projected to reach a record-high of $250 million in the 2024/25 crop year, with 64,000 metric tons exported since the beginning of the crop year in October 2024.

Turkey’s table olive exports have increased by 33% in volume and 26.5% in value compared to the previous year, with Germany and Iraq as the top destinations for black and green olive imports.

Malta's 2024 olive yield plummeted

Windy weather and lack of rainfall in 2024 led to a significant reduction in the olive harvest in Malta, with the country producing 37 metric tons of olive oil compared to the previous year’s 121 tons.

Despite challenges, Maltese olive growers like Ramla Valley implemented strategies such as drip irrigation and soil management to protect their crops and produce high-quality olive oil.

Send us YOUR news!

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!

Science drives award-winning producer’s mission of quality, sustainability

Arsen Khachaturyants, a mathematician with a culinary background, is producing high-quality extra virgin olive oil in Tuscany, specializing in Tuscan olive varieties and aiming for balance in flavor.

He uses social media to educate consumers about the product, has won awards for his Ora brand, and plans to expand to international markets while facing challenges related to climate change and production costs.

Repsol gives fuel discounts for your used olive oil

Image: Repsol’s turning oil into gold, one bottle at a time. (Canva)

With fuel prices still stretching budgets across Spain, Repsol has launched an unusual but compelling offer: Trade your used cooking oil for fuel discounts.

What began as a local test in Madrid is now available in more and more petrol stations nationwide. For many households, it is becoming a small yet meaningful way to save money and reduce waste simultaneously.

Can Lebanon turn olives into economic gold? Sector needs urgent reform

Out of 169,000 farmers in Lebanon, 110,000 grow olives. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the sector supports over 500 olive presses and 160 olive oil facilities.

These numbers could increase—and benefit Lebanon more—if producers focus on improving quality.

Study reveals olive oil helps prevent weight gain, unlike butter and margarine

A recent study shows olive oil prevents weight gain, while butter and margarine contribute to it, highlighting olive oil's health benefits over other fats.

Greek authorities smash criminal gang selling adulterated oils

Members of a criminal organisation that was producing tainted oils and selling them as extra virgin olive oil in Greece and other EU nations has been disbanded, according to the Sub-Directorate for Combating Organized Crime of Northern Greece.