Around 6000 BC, people living in the Eastern Mediterranean discovered a process of extracting Olive oil from olives which laid the foundation of Olive oil industry and ever since it is being used for multiple purposes like it is used in cooking, used for the production of soaps, cosmetics, and various pharmaceuticals. It was also used as a fuel to light the old traditional lamps. It is a rich source of many essential vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and many beneficial antioxidants that are the reason that the demand for olive oil is significantly high in the world. People who use it in their daily diet can save themselves from the harms of cancer, heart strokes and diabetes.
TOP TEN LARGEST OLIVE OIL PRODUCING COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
Production and cultivation of olives on a large scale demand a rich soil and suitable climate and the countries blessed with both can produce most Olive oil in the world. Spain is currently its top producer in the world, and its good quality is even exported to many other states. Let’s find out what other countries share the Olive oil production graph along with Spain. Following are the top ten countries that are believed to be it’s major producers in the world and supporting the needs of rest of the world.
10. ARGENTINA:
Over the bigger picture, Argentinian Olive oil industry is still struggling yet it’s producing enough olive oil to support the needs of the nation and earn enough through its export. The average total production of the country is estimated to be 22,700 tons per year. About 30,000 of the metric tons of the oil is exported to generate handsome revenue.
9. PORTUGAL:
Being the neighbor of the great olive oil producer, Spain, Portugal received most of its impact, and the country has been producing good quality olive for centuries since Bronze Age. Its production is not as high as other countries in the list, but the quality of the oil is now significantly improved by its producers. The average production is estimated to be 53,300 tons per year.
8. ALGERIA:
Most of the Algerian economy relies on the export of olive oil. It has strived to produce good quality oil to make its name in the international market among others. Export of olive oil worldwide also supports the local producers of Algeria and strengthen their economic condition. Now the per annum production has reached to about 56,300 tons.
7. MOROCCO:
Recently Morocco has taken a big step forward by specifying more land of 1.2 million hectares for the cultivation of Olives only this will greatly improve the production. By the end of the year 2020, the country is expected to produce 2.5 million metric tons of oil. Whereas currently the country is already producing 95, 300 tons of oil per year.
6. TURKEY:
During the year 2013-2014, Turkey remained the fourth major producer of Olive oil but the last few months has brought a little down for its industry. Now with the average of 143,600 tons per year, Turkey is the sixth largest producer of the world accounting for 52% share of the total world’s production.
5. TUNISIA:
The production olive oil in Tunisia has increased to fourfold due to many recent initiatives were taken by the major producers in the country. Tunisian Olive Oil is famous for its great quality and is making its market in 60 different markets across Europe. 80% of the total oil produced is exported to Russia, Canada, China, United States and Arab countries. According to the recent figures the country produces about 150,000 tons of it per year.
4. SYRIA:
“Fighting and shelling often make it unsafe to go out in the orchard or the mill.” These are the words of Mohammed Hassan Zeno, the founder of the Zeno Olive oil company. Defying all the odds of civil war, Syria’s staggering market still manage to produce good quality olive oil on a large scale. Despite the many challenges its Olive oil industry is facing, it produces an average 168, 163 tons each year.
3. GREECE:
Greece’s Olive oil production has also skyrocketed in the recent decade. With the figures of 352,608 tons per year, the olive oil industry is blooming in the country. The production is being doubled in the last two years making its way through the international market. Greek extra virgin olive oil is famous for years throughout the world and earns great revenue for the country. In coming years, the production is expected to rise more the sky.
2. ITALY:
By far Italy is the second highest producer of Olive oil in the world. More than 80 brands of Olive oil are working in the country and exported across the world. It produces almost 597,710 each year. In the entire Mediterranean region, Italy is the major center of the production of Olives, and its climatic conditions favor it the most. Its rich soil supports the cultivation of various types of olives.
1. SPAIN:
75% of the total Olive oil of the world is produced in Spain which is located in the midst of Andalucian region. The annual production of in the country is estimated to about 1359200 tons. From east to west, stretches of lands located in eight different provinces of Spain, are cultivated with all the existing varieties of Olives. The major varieties of olive cultivated in Spain to extract their oil are Picudo, Lecithin, Vertical, Picual, and Hojiblance.
Ranking of Top Ten Olive Oil’s Producers:
| Rank | Country | Production (Tones) |
| 1. | Spain | 1,359,200 |
| 2. | Italy | 597,710 |
| 3. | Greece | 352,608 |
| 4. | Syria | 168,163 |
| 5. | Tunisia | 150,000 |
| 6. | Turkey | 143,600 |
| 7. | Morocco | 95,300 |
| 8. | Algeria | 56,000 |
| 9. | Portugal | 53,300 |
| 10. | Argentina | 22,700 |
See More As:
