Tensions heat up in Spain–Italy olive oil war

Olive oil arouses a great deal of passion in Spain, and the news that Italians are looking to take a huge bite out of the country’s market leader Deoleo has sent the Spanish government scurrying to defend the company. Spain is the world’s largest olive producer and national food giant Deoleo is the world’s biggest seller of the liquid gold. But the food giant which notched up revenues of around €800 million ($1,100 million) in 2013 could soon become prey to an Italian fund, Spain’s El Mundo newspaper reported on Wednesday.