07 June 2024

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

Today's Top Story

Xylella-resilient groves are the future of Apulian olive oil

Farmers’ associations, researchers and institutions are teaming up to replant Xylella fastidiosa-resilient olive trees in Puglia.

Also the story of the resilience of the local industry, and the incredible efforts of many to find solutions to this devastating incursion.

Australia

Farmer’s markets and the future of fresh food retail in Australia

Australian households are feeling the pinch. Grocery prices are on the rise, with a recent spate of media headlines detailing government inquiries and investigations into supermarket practices.

An interesting article, based on the results of a survey on consumers and farmers markets.

Labor cans controversial PALM change, FWC raises minimum wage by 3.75pc

The federal government will now allow growers to offer 120 hours of work averaged over four weeks to short-term PALM workers from July 1, rather than the previously mandated 30 hours per week.

Farmers will no longer be forced to pay workers engaged under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme a mandatory minimum number of hours per week.

Federal Budget fails to deliver for farmers

NSW Farmers has expressed disappointment with the Federal Budget, revealing a continued shortfall in necessary funding to support rural industries across the state. Among the biggest concerns were the increasing costs and production challenges facing landholders, which the budget did not adequately address.

New guidance, inspections target forklift safety

(VIC) WorkSafe has released new guidance and launched a state-wide inspection program to help drive down the toll of forklift-related deaths and injuries.

The newly-published guidance provides practical advice to employers on the safe use and maintenance of forklifts and highlights the need to separate forklifts from people on the ground.

More information, and download the Forklift safety guidebook, here.

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. 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.

Ruminati: a farmer-led carbon emissions calculator

Australian farmers have developed a farmer-led online carbon emissions calculator, empowering producers to track and validate on-farm climate action throughout the supply chain.

WA farmers use desalination to secure water supplies, restore salt-damaged land

Kristin Lefroy has been using a reverse osmosis desalination system for four years. (ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Lucinda Jose)

Small desalination systems have been used to supply a valuable fresh water source during a year with little rainfall. Desalinated fresh water is used for stock, effective spraying, and to reticulate gardens.

SPC cuts canned fruit production amid cost-of-living crisis

SPC is slashing its canned fruit production as cost-weary shoppers turn to cheaper imported options. It is reducing its peach and pear intake by 40 per cent because of declining demand for Australian-grown products.

The pain our industry has been feeling for years …

Events

Fair Farms June webinar

The topic for the June edition of Fair Farms’ monthly webinar has been announced and, while not a ‘fun’ one, it’s a very important one for every farmer with employees.

This month, Grower Engagement Officer Donna Mogg talks about all things related to Industrial Manslaughter Legislation.

Details: 28 June at 12 noon - free.

More information and register here.

Entries now open for 2024 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA)

Australia’s premier olive competition, with international status and recognition, the 2024 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA) is now open for entries.

Benefits of entering the AIOA include:

Entries assessed and awarded on merit by a team of internationally trained judges.
All entrants receive comprehensive judging feedback.
Successful judging provides eligibility for OliveCare® certification.
Unprecedented opportunity for international recognition of winning products and producers.
The comprehensive Results Book is sent out to all entrants and stakeholders, providing an impressive marketing tool for all medal and award winners.

· The opportunity to purchase the professional product images from the Results Book at only $35 plus GST – a fraction of the price of your own professional photography.

New for 2024 …

This year’s competition offers even more benefits for entrants, including a Producer Index Listing in the Results Book to help buyers and consumers find your award-winning products. The listing will also be accessible as a reference page on the Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil Everyday website

There are also new decals for Best of Class and Best of Show winners, and a Platinum Medal has been introduced to recognise exceptionally high-scoring entries.

Find out more and enter here https://internationaloliveawardsaustralia.com.au, or if you need assistance with your entries please contact Competition Convenor & Chief Steward Trudie Michels on 0419 031 527 or aioa@australianolives.com.au.

International

Restriction on olive oil exports relaxed

Turkish authorities have eased restrictions on the export of olive oil, amid expectations that production will pick up this season, removing an outright ban that was introduced in August last year. The ministry imposed the ban on bulk and barrel olive oil in the face of the steep price increase in the local market. The ban also aimed at securing the supply of olive oil.

Promising outlook for olive oil production in 2024/25

At the recent 4E General Assembly, a key highlight was the address by Dr. Dimitra Aliefs, who provided the first estimates for the 2024/25 global olive oil harvest. Her speech offered a detailed forecast, signaling a potentially robust production year following three years of drought.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

We’re now well into 2024 and Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) team continues 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!

USDA recommends olive oil for deep frying

A recent X post which platform users may want to share.

Uzbekistan adapts over 100,000 olive seedlings to local conditions for cultivation

Uzbekistan is poised to join the ranks of countries that grow olives on an industrial scale and produce olive oil with specialists having prepared over 100,000 olive tree seedlings specifically adapted to local conditions for cultivation.

Traditional boiled oil extraction method from olives explored

In certain towns in Northern Jordan, ranchers bubble some portion of their olive natural product gathered before oil extraction to expand the amount of oil. They perceive it as a way to get a beneficial mixed bag, as they guarantee, and to get extra medical advantages. Local peoples call this oil Bubbled oil (BO), and its cost is around 20% higher than virgin olive oil (VOO) created by a similar rancher.

Hmmm…

Vegetable oil has no vegetables, so what is it?

You will always see grocery stores stocked up on “Pure Vegetable Oil” with a picture of fresh veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers and onions on it. Despite the healthy, green marketing, these oils do not contain any vegetables at all.

Olive oil tops the list for frying, and sunflower oil a health risk says expert

What is the best for frying? What should we avoid? Dr. Bartek Kulczyński, a nutritionist and food technology expert, answered these questions. His words might surprise you.

And how’s this for a statement: “Regular sunflower oil is absolutely not suitable for frying, and frying with it is a crime against our health.”

Discovery of new olive varieties in Italy spurs app development

Two previously unknown olive cultivars have been discovered in Frosinone, a province in the central Italian region of Lazio. The Italian National Research Center (CNR) laboratory tested several tree samples and confirmed that their DNA does not match any known variety listed in the IBBR-CNR database in Perugia.