24 APRIL 2025

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Today's top story

Business as usual: Australian olive industry largely unaffected by US tariffs

By Laura Thomas

The Australian olive industry will remain largely unaffected by changes to US import tariffs announced earlier this month.

The controversial tariffs have made global news headlines since they were finally revealed following months of speculation.

Some good news for the Australian olive industry, as others brace themselves for the impact of the new tariffs. Read on to find out more.

Australia

Agriculture workforce options under attack

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has issued a stark warning that mounting red tape and increasingly complex labour laws are choking access to the workers agriculture desperately needs, placing Australia’s food security, farm viability, and regional economies at serious risk.

Action plan paves the way for Australian biosecurity

Protecting Australia’s rich natural assets from pests and diseases is a shared responsibility for all Australians. 

Australia’s inaugural National Biosecurity Strategy (NBS) Action Plan guides the vital work of strengthening our national biosecurity by outlining activities and priorities for governments and industries. It was endorsed by Agricultural Ministers in late 2024 and launched on 23 December 2024.



The NBS Action Plan was developed in collaboration with stakeholders across the nation’s biosecurity system. It supports our goal to protect Australia’s environment, economy and way of life from the biosecurity threats of today and tomorrow.

Let’s get the bush connected this election

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has called for commitments from all sides of politics to bridge the digital divide for rural and regional Australians in this election. 

NFF President David Jochinke said that while significant investment has been made in recent years, we’re still a long way from fixing the rural and regional connectivity problem. 

“Whether it’s calling for help in an emergency, coordinating logistics during harvest, or simply staying connected with loved ones - bush connectivity is not a luxury, it’s a lifeline,” Mr Jochinke said. 

North-west NSW farmers optimistic as properties come to life after rain

Farmers in parts of north-west NSW are enjoying near-perfect conditions after recent heavy rainfall.



Others in parts of the state's west are preparing to be isolated by flooding as crops are sowed and dams fill.

Primary producers remain cautiously optimistic as conditions set them in good stead for the winter season.

SA farmer still waiting on drought relief payments months after applying

Some South Australian farmers experiencing drought conditions are still waiting on assistance, despite government relief packages being made available months ago.

Expression of Interest: In-depth Food and Grocery Code of Conduct Training

Following strong interest after a recent webinar, AUSVEG has opened expressions of interest for In-depth Food and Grocery Code of Conduct Training.

With the new code in place since 1 April, this has implications for grower-retailer dealings. This training will help growers better understand its functionality and how it applies to their business.

Register now

Vegalogue Advocacy Edition: Education and the path to a stronger horticulture workforce

Explore how early education and industry engagement can shape a stronger, more sustainable horticulture workforce.

Luciano Mesiti, CEO of the Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA), discusses the crucial role that food and fibre education plays in inspiring the next generation of agricultural workers.

Listen now

Got something to sell? Looking to buy?

OliveBiz will take you straight to your target market!

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.

International

Olive trees vs solar panels: Going green means no more greens?

Image: Olive grove destroyed in Lopera, a small town in the province of Jaén, southern Spain. Rural people denounce the expropriation of their land and the felling of their olive trees for the construction of a mega photovoltaic plant. @marcvidal 

The Andalusian government has expropriated several hectares of agricultural and livestock land for solar panels.

Rafael Navas Ferrer, president of the Agricultural Association of Young Farmers (ASAJA) in Cordoba, Spain, pointed out the risks of such policies for agriculture in a converation with europeanconservative.com. Navas Ferrer argued:

"Agricultural land has a productive value that should not be lost. Using agricultural land for solar projects can be counterproductive if the impact on productivity is not properly assessed."

Spanish researchers study salt stress on olive trees

Spanish researchers have published a study on the effects of salt stress on olive trees, highlighting the growing issue of soil salinisation in the Mediterranean basin and presenting potential solutions.

The study found that olive trees exhibit varying degrees of salt tolerance, with grafting salt-tolerant rootstocks onto sensitive cultivars being a recommended method to enhance resilience in salinised soils.

What is happening with the price of olive oil?

Olive oil has been plagued by high prices for months - but is the price of the household grocery staple finally easing?

In January 2025 the average retail price for olive oil reached $22.49 per litre compared to $15.59 compared to January 2024, according to Stats NZ.

The importance of phosphorus for the quality of olive flowers

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.), historically grown in difficult environments and on poor soils, is today the protagonist of a profound agronomic transformation.

The introduction of intensive irrigation systems has raised production standards and with them the nutritional needs of the plant.

In this context, a recent study conducted in Israel that investigated the role of phosphorus (P) in the reproductive cycle of the olive tree, analysing in particular its influence on flower quality, carbohydrate reserves and fruit set.

United States's virgin olive oil market: Volume to reach 310K tons by 2035, value to hit $2.9B

Driven by growing demand, the market for virgin olive oil in the United States is set to continue its upward trend in consumption.

Forecasts show a modest increase in market performance, with volume and value expected to rise steadily until 2035, reaching 310K tons and $2.9B respectively.

Spanish olive oil producers worried about sweeping US tariffs

The Spanish olive oil makers, faced with difficulties caused by the U.S. tariffs, are seeking new markets to sustain their business.

Global olive oil market: Anticipated CAGR of +0.6% in volume and +2.4% in value from 2024 to 2035

The global olive oil market is on the rise, fueled by growing demand worldwide.

Projections show a steady increase in consumption with a forecasted CAGR of +0.6% in volume and +2.4% in value from 2024 to 2035. Don't miss out on the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve in this thriving market.

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!

Calendar 2025

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

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