Olive oil, despite drop in production exports up 42% in value (5.8 billion)

Exports and value in strong growth for Italian olive oil, with an 84.3% reduction in the trade deficit; this while the supply chain is also looking for a recovery in volumes.
According to Ismea's Olive Oil Trends Report, in 2024 exports increased by 6.8%, reaching 344 thousand tons for over 3.09 billion euros (+42.6% over 2023), with a turnover of 5.8 billion. Figures that place Italy as the world's second largest exporter after Spain, with a 20% share.
Domestic consumption is 441 thousand tonnes, 7.5 per capita per year.

According to the Institute of Services for the Agricultural Food Market, this is a vital supply chain that, despite the 24% drop in production due to the weather and the cyclical nature of production, totalling 248,000 tonnes, has resisted thanks to its widespread and capillary structure made up of 620,000 companies and over 4,240 active oil mills: "However, signs of recovery are already being seen for a heritage of over 1.1 million hectares of olive groves, 24% of which are organic". There are 42 PDOs and 8 PGIs, figures that are "constantly expanding", with "certified productions increasingly appreciated on foreign markets as well".

To counter the challenges posed by climate change, plant diseases and declining production volumes, "the sector benefits from a robust package of financial measures," Ismea recalls. That is to say 34.6 million a year of the oil sector intervention provided for by the Strategic Plan for the 2023-2027 Pac, 100 million from the Pnrr for oil mills, 30 million against Xylella and other instruments provided for by the SPP 2023-2027. A strategic package to recover new production volumes.

"Italian olive oil is a symbol of quality, culture and identity," says General Manager Sergio Marchi. "The performance on international markets confirms the sector's ability to generate value and adapt, maintaining strong ties with the territory and looking confidently at new challenges.