06 April 2023

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

Today's Top Story

Recipe for harvest success!

Having been through a couple of olive harvests now, AOA CEO Michael Southan knows it’s an exhausting gig to get through and that a good hit of caffeine is most growers’ best friend. So he’s come up with a way to make it even better, and shot the second in his video recipe series just in time for the coming harvest. Watch it here and then hit the kitchen to try it out yourself!

Australia

Australia eyes opportunity with India's rising middle class, growing population with trade agreement

India is on the cusp of becoming the world's most populous country, and it could spell new opportunities for trade and exports from Australia.

And here’s proof of the potential …

Olive naan

Industry pest and disease guru Robert Spooner-Hart was in India recently and while in the regional town of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, saw Olive naan on the menu. Naturally he had to order it - and sent this image to share with FOE readers. If it becomes a hit, that’s a huge boost in the opportunity for Australian table olive exporters!

Inside the investigation into the discovery of 38 tonnes of illegal meat, plants in Australia

Not since Johnny Depp was issued a 50-hour warning to remove his mutts Pistol and Boo from Australia have biosecurity officials been so best in show. Authorities are now investigating how 38 tonnes of high-risk foods and plants came to be in a western Sydney warehouse earlier this year.

More argument for the need to increase Australia’s biosecurity funding and activity.

Farmers in Australia look forward to an abundant harvest

Producers cited climatic challenges, supply chain issues and disease as potential challenges but remain optimistic for a bumper harvest.

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 - like Penny, who has a pallet of olive jar cartons she no longer needs. 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.

Bill to pay land managers to protect wildlife and boost biodiversity introduced to federal parliament

Land managers that promote biodiversity through projects like fencing off dams could be entitled to trade credits.

Farmers, Indigenous rangers and local councils are a step closer to being paid to protect nature, with the federal government introducing legislation that would establish a biodiversity trading scheme.

Alarming report on farmer mental health prompts peak body to call for urgent action

A report on the mental health of the country's farmers has revealed that almost half have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Of the more than 1,300 farmers surveyed for the National Farmer Wellbeing Report, 30 per cent have attempted self-harm or suicide.

An important reminder to look after all aspects of your health and well-being, and for the need for us all to look out for those around us and ask “R U OK?” when we think maybe they’re not.

There are resources and support services out there to help; here are just a few: www.ruok.org.au; Lifeline - 13 11 14; Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636.

Farmers take on renewable energy sources in face of rising electricity costs

Wilco Droppert and Sandra Jefford have slashed their irrigation costs. (ABC Rural: Peter Somerville)

A 30 per cent hike in energy costs can be a tough pill to swallow, particularly when an annual bill is more than $100,000. That's the case for many farm businesses, particularly in dairy and horticulture.

And while we’re on energy …

Victorian Farmers Federation create a new energy taskforce

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) will create a new VFF Energy and Transmission Taskforce, which includes Gippsland’s Hamilton Gerrand, to lead its advocacy on renewable energy and transmission infrastructure development across Victoria and help give farmers a say.

Australia's eastern states will have enough gas, ACCC says

The ACCC says there will be enough supply for eastern states if gas producers supply to the domestic market. (ABC Kimberley: Ben Collins)

Warnings about a potentially crippling gas shortage across Australia's eastern states have been scrapped after the competition watchdog said supplies would now be sufficient to meet demand.

Opportunities

Market Entry Accelerator 2023

Market Entry Accelerator 2023 is a comprehensive program designed for scaling Australian FMCG businesses seeking expert advice and connections to enter the UK market.

The program includes a 5-week market entry strategy course (May-August 2023), a 2-week in-market immersion program in London (June/July 2023), and an exclusive opportunity to pitch to a leading UK supermarket chain. The program is supported by the Australian Federal Government

Applications are now open, with a submission deadline of 21 April. Find out more and apply here.

Events

Olives SA are seeking expressions of interest in a workshop for EVOO and Table olive tasting, with the aim to educate and produce new judges.

The workshop is open to everyone and will be conducted by Trudie Michels, a sensory expert and well known oil judge at both state and national level.

Please advise as soon as possible to Michael Johnston at mj@johnstons.net.au or 0419 815 839.

2023 Olive Oil Processing Workshop

The course covers every aspect of processing quality olive oil, from grove management for optimal fruit quality to best-practice processing and storage. Along the way you’ll learn a lot about olive oil chemistry, and the practical aspects of oil extraction.

You’ll also get to meet the experts and learn industry secrets from:

International Olive Oil Consultant Pablo Canamasas - Quality, Chemistry, Processing.
Rio Vista Olives Master Miller Jared Bettio - Processing.
Rio Vista Olives Marketing Manager Sarah Ascuitto - EVOO Tasting/Identifying Defects.

Details:

Thursday 13 - Friday 14 April 2023

Rio Vista Olives, Mypolonga, SA

Members/levy payers - $275 inc GST; Others - $375 inc GST. Cost includes all meals.

Contact for more details: Liz Bouzoudis: secretariat@australianolives.com.au or 0478 606 145.

A limited numbers of places are still available. Register here NOW!

This event is part of the Olive levy project Australian olive industry communications and extension program (OL22000), funded by Hort Innovation, using the Hort Innovation olive research and development levy, co-investment from the Australian Olive Association and contributions from the Australian Government.

New Zealand

And the gold award goes to … Telegraph Hill

Geoff Crawford with the gold medal award winning Kalamata Olives. Photo/Warren Buckland.

Two decades of nurturing olives is paying off for a Hastings grower who won gold at the 2023 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.

Great to see national accolades for our dedicated industry members!

International

Exploring the benefits of olive oil in skin care: is it worth trying?

I’m a big proponent of olive oil. I’m notorious for shamelessly splashing it in places it might not belong. Recently I’ve been wondering if that should include my skin. Olive oil in skin care has become a big trend, and I love the idea of it, so I did some investigating to see if it’s truly beneficial.

Drought expected to hit Europe again, scientists warn

Dry weather is expected to persist in much of Europe throughout the summer, especially in the central and Mediterranean regions.

Which is why …

Water efficiency, sustainability must go hand in hand in the olive grove

Researchers say a sustainable and innovative approach to olive farming is the only way to cope with a changing climate.

Greek organic olive capsules reduce cholesterol

The clinical study of the dietary supplement, derived from "Kalamata" organic olives by organic farms from Sparta, which have been selected among 150 different types of olives due to their high content of phenols, is now in the final stage.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

The new 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!

New Kraft paper-based electrochemical sensor to detect traces of pesticides in fruit and vegetables

At the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil, scientists have come up with a kraft paper-based electrochemical sensor that has the potential to detect traces of pesticides present in vegetables and fruit in real time when coupled to an electronic device.

Record-high olive oil exports projected in Turkey

According to the International Olive Council, Turkish exports will rise sharply this year to 134,000 tons, more than triple the five-year average.

Finalists for Oleotourism contest announced

At the third edition of the national competition, farmhouses and olive oil producers compete to propose tourism experiences in breathtaking locations.

There may be some useful ideas in this story.