23 January 2026

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Today's top story

World olive market shake-up an opportunity for Aussie growers

By Laura Thomas

Instability within the global olive oil market is creating fresh opportunity for Australian producers, according to a new agribusiness report.

Industry confidence is at an all-time high, with new investment and plantings underway. Read more.

Australia

Weather shocks bite, but agriculture remains resilient

While extreme weather events have severely impacted some farming businesses across Australia, brokers say that agriculture is far from retreating.

Victoria's bushfire-affected communities remain on edge ahead of another heatwave

Heatwave conditions are forecast across parts of Victoria over the long weekend. 

Temperatures in the state's north-east are expected to reach the low 40s on Sunday and into early next week, while the far north-west could see the mercury rise to the mid 40s.

Authorities remain on alert in fire-affected areas and urge residents and visitors to monitor conditions via the VicEmergency app.

See how Victoria’s bushfires spread: a visual guide to the scale of devastation

Authorities and firefighters say the Victorian fires of January 2026 were unlike anything seen before in speed, scale and destruction. And they came much earlier than normal

The highly detailed, invisible work that goes into 'near real-time' bushfire mapping

As the devastating fires in Victoria spread earlier this month, people at home could see how they were moving across the state — not just in videos on the news and social media, but on an interactive map.

‘We could see the glow and smell the smoke’: residents warned as fires burn south of Adelaide

South Australian residents have described seeing the flames and smelling the smoke of a bushfire that has scorched hundreds of hectares and destroyed structures as emergency crews fight to control the blaze.

Check out this update from Peninsula Providore, as posted to Instagram on Monday. Its Nangkita Grove was lucky to escape the bushfire unscathed, despite coming "uncomfortably close" to the fire front.

AOA Classifieds

Got something to sell? Want to buy?

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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.

Farmer Wellbeing Toolkit

Are you familiar with the National Centre for Farmer Health's "Farmer Wellbeing Toolkit"?

It contains all sorts of handy information and links to help support farmers.

Check it out now.

CSIRO opens free program for SMEs developing farm and food technology solutions

Innovate to Grow is helping Australia’s farm and food innovators turn big ideas into real-world impact.

International

Experts issue urgent warning as records show 'extreme' spike in marker for global crisis: 'It's all at risk'

The last three years have marked an unprecedented hot streak for the Earth. 2025 was its third-warmest year on record. The only two years that have been hotter globally were 2023 and 2024.

The three-year warming spike, the sharpest of its kind in climate records dating back to 1850, might signal an acceleration of climate change, according to scientists.

Proposed bill would fast-track olive oil product standards

Washington — Rep. Josh Harder, D-Tracy, announced bipartisan legislation Wednesday to better support olive growers and producers by pushing the Food and Drug Administration to fast-track approval of long-overdue standards of olive oil varieties.

EU auditors reveal gaps in olive oil control system vulnerable to fraud

Shortcomings in the EU olive oil control systems put the product’s quality, safety, and traceability at risk, according to a new audit report published on Wednesday by the European Court of Auditors (ECA).

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!

Spain announces expanded anti-fraud controls for olive oil sector

Spain has announced a new set of official controls and anti-fraud measures covering the entire olive oil and pomace supply chain, with implementation set to begin in 2026.

Are 'tech dense' farms the future of farming?

Jake Leguee is a third-generation farmer in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Since his grandfather bought 640 acres in 1956, the farm has grown to its current size of 17,000 acres, growing canola, wheat, flax and green lentils.

14 years of cover crops: What one farmer learned

The benefits of cover crops can take time to show up, and for Brian Corkill, Galva, Ill., farmer, the journey with cover crops began 14 years ago. Now, he uses much less fertilizer and herbicides.

Nearly 500 million ready for the new Olive Oil Plan over 5 years

The timeline has been finalized and resources identified to kick-start the revitalization of national olive growing and a 25% increase in oil production. "The season of one-off interventions is over."

Calendar 2026

25 February

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

Email Laura to have your event included in 2026!

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