International News/Trends
At a time of increasing settler violence in the West Bank, the International Solidarity Movement is issuing an urgent call for volunteers to participate in the 2012 Olive Harvest Campaign at the invitation of Palestinian communities. The olive tree is a national symbol for Palestinians. As thousands of olive trees have been bulldozed, uprooted and burned by Israeli settlers and the military – over half a million olive and fruit trees have been destroyed since September 2000 – harvesting has become more than a source of livelihood; it has become a form of resistance.
Read MoreDuring a recent debate in the Greek parliament the deputy Minister of Agriculture was challenged about olive oil by a member. He replied: “Producers can and should create groups in order to have more power while negotiating in the markets and achieve better prices for their products. For this, standardisation is of utmost importance since it gives added value to the product”. He added: “The ministry considers olive oil a national product of high nutritional value, extra quality and of great economic value for the country…that’s why we support it with actions.” It is more than clear that the Greek state still has no clear and defined strategy about promoting olive oil.
Read MoreOn 18 July ABC TV’s 7:30 Report aired a story with allegations made against fertiliser manufacturer NutriTech Solutions (NTS). Two products NTS Fulvic 1400 and Nutri-Care were alleged to have contained synthetic nitrates and presence of benzene respectively, both not permitted in organic production standards. Auditing and testing of products have been carried out on NTS and on 8 August Australian Certified Organic (ACO) released an industry notice outlining results of investigations in relation to the allegations. Read it https://www.bfa.com.au/IndustryResources/BFAPublications/OrganicAdvantage/OrganicAdvantageArchives2012/mid/777/newsid777/202.aspx.
Read MoreAuckland grower Alex Twentyman has become the second olive oil taster to achieve Associate status in the International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes program. Alex, 23, participated in the 2010 Savantes program and returned for the Melbourne program in July, where he achieved the 60% mark required for Associate Savante status. The Twentyman family own the Ocean View Estate olive grove at Mangonui in the far north of New Zealand; Alex is also a professional bass guitarist and software marketer. Associate status is the first step to achieving full Savante status and membership of the International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes Register. Tests include rancidity and intensity ranking, defect identification, regional identification, triangle tests and own oil identification. For further Information about the Savantes program, contact Simon Field at [email protected] or +61 418 329 890.
Read MoreThe farmgate price for olive oil is finally on the up in world production leader Spain, which some are attributing to expectations that after three years of bumper harvests the next will be a lean one. “The market knows there will be few olives to pick next season,” Diario Jaen said. According to the POOLred price information system, the index price for olive oil had climbed from €1.87per kg on July 26 to €1.94 today on August 1.
Read MoreOlive oil supplier Filippo Berio has reported its highest ever monthly sales in the UK, thanks to a heavy marketing push. During July, the company sold over 1.3 million litres of olive oil in the UK – a 12% uplift on April’s figures. The strong sales followed an extensive TV and print advertising campaign for the brand, focusing on the versatility of oil and debunking myths such as the idea that olive oil is unsuitable for frying. Over the Jubilee festivities it gave away one million recipe booklets in the Sunday Times and the Mail on Sunday.
Read MoreThe Association of Olive Oil Producing Municipalities of Crete (SEDIK) has compiled a memo with suggestions to improve Europe’s olive oil action plan for boosting the ailing industry. The memo has been sent to the Greek Ministry of Agriculture, members of the Parliament and the members of the European Parliament. The suggestions include that the “extra virgin” grade should have an acidity level up to 0.5 grams per 100 grams.
Read MoreMore than 20 plants involved in the production or packaging of olive oil or table olives in Spain were found to have no system of product traceability, according to the 2010-2011 annual report from the country’s olive oil watchdog. The Olive Oil Agency (AAO) made the discovery as part of its inspections – including 907 spot checks, hundreds of cross-checks of accounts and 441 samples of olive oil – among the country’s 1,742 active olive oil mills and related plants that olive season.
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