Olive oil: Ismea forecasts a strong rebound in production in Italia in 2025–26, reaching 325,000 tonnes (+31 per cent)
Italian extra virgin olive oil continues to command a higher price on international markets than its competitors. The Government is supporting the sector through the ‘Cambiale Frantoi’ scheme
Key points
- Italian extra virgin olive oil ranks higher than its competitors
- Production returns to normal after years of tension
- Among the new features is the ‘Cambiale Frantoi Oleari’ to ensure liquidity
- The 300 million allocated by Coltiva Italia is also set to be rolled out
- Almost 1.9 billion euros for the sector over the three-year period 2023–25
In the 2025–26 olive oil season, Italia produced 325,000 tonnes, representing a 31 per cent increase on the previous season. Ismea highlighted this significant rebound in Italian olive oil production during a panel discussion dedicated to the sector at Terra Madre in Turin.
Italian extra virgin olive oil ranks higher than its competitors
“A sector,” explained Ismea, “which, despite thefall in prices recorded in 2026, continues to hold a stronger position on the markets than its main competitor countries.”
The Italian olive-growing sector covers over one million hectares, of which around 289,000 are organic, with approximately 620,000 olive-growing holdings, over 4,200 active oil mills and 51 Geographical Indications, comprising 42 PDOs and 9 PGIs.
Production returns to normal after years of tension
Over the past growing season, Italian production has therefore returned to significant levels, in line with the international market, which has also regained its balance following the severe tensions of previous growing seasons (which saw a two-year slump in Spanish production and a sharp rise in prices).
“As regards prices,” added Ismea, “despite the decline recorded in 2026, Italia continues to fare better than its main competitors: prices for domestic extra virgin olive oil remain higher than those in Spain, Greece and Tunisia, and remain above the levels seen before the surge in 2022.”
There is also good news from the markets, with a fall in imports
The picture is also positive when it comes to foreign trade. According to figures provided by Ismea, imports fell in the first six months of 2026, partly due to greater domestic availability. On the exports front, whilst there was a decline in trade with the United States and Germany, sales to the United Kingdom increased and positive results were recorded in Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium.
