Olive Oil News

Don’t miss the special feature on the 2012 Olives New Zealand Conference and Olives to Oil Workshop in the coming edition of Australian and New Zealand Olivegrower & Processor. Participant reports, articles and lots of great photos provide comprehensive coverage of this important and successful industry event. Subscriptions are just $NZ69.90 for 12 months/6 editions, including a free copy of the
2012 Olive Industry Directory, so if you’re not currently receiving the magazine, subscribe

John Priestley and Hamish Mackay are once again conducting biodynamic workshops in Western Australia, running from 28 April to 14 May. Topics vary and venues include Perth, Cowaramup, Mt Barker, Denmark, Narembeen and Chittering Valley. They will also be in Donnybrook with Brett Kirkpatrick for a two-day biodynamic preparation making workshop on May 12-13.

The Olive Field Day scheduled for 4 May at Yea is not being sponsored by AOA Victoria, as per information provided for the March 30 edition of Friday Olive Extracts. The event is presented by the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Murrindindi Olive Grove and Kingsford Machinery Sales & Service. For more information contact Umberto Frattali on 0418 333 586 or [email protected], or Tom Tigani on 0429 377 886.

Places are still available for the Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes Oil Tasting program on 25-27 July 2012 in Melbourne. Established in 2001, the Savantes program gives participants the opportunity to taste some of the best extra virgin olive oils from around the world, developing their oil tasting skills, knowledge and experience. For information about the program, presenters and booking visit www.savantes.com

Olive New Zealand’s 2012 Certification Program is scheduled for release next Friday, April 20, following the next meeting of the Executive on April 18. Full details will be circulated to members shortly afterwards, and also made available on the ONZ website – www.olivesnz.org.nz.

An analysis of the first known public database collecting reports on food fraud and economically-inspired adulteration in the industry has revealed the ingredients most likely to be at the centre of such scams, the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) – the organization that created the database — announced. According to the USP’s review of scholarly journal reports, the full results of which were published in the April issue of the Journal of Food Science, the seven ingredients most involved in cases of food fraud are: olive oil, milk, honey, saffron, orange juice, coffee, and apple juice.

The AGOA (Australian Golden Olive Awards), run by the Olive Producers (NE Vic), will be held for the 13th time this year. The Invitation to Participate must be returned by Friday, 21 July. Standard bottles and/or jars, code labels and entry forms will then be returned by the Steward and must be returned with payment by 9 August. The celebration dinner and award presentation will be held on 15 September, 2012. Organisers say this is a prestigeous award and the best value for money, with testing results provided free. Download the Invitation to Participate here

Changes in varieties grown in Australian and New Zealand olive groves mark one of the most interesting movements within the industry over the past 12 months. Statistics gathered for the 2012 Australian and New Zealand Olive Industry Directory show significant decreases in four of the major varietals grown in Australia, and an upward swing in popularity for the Kalamata variety among New Zealand growers. The latter no doubt reflects the strong growth in table olive production experienced over the previous five years, a trend which the figures show has steadied in among New Zealand producers over the past year.

You’ll find this and all the industry information you need to know in the newly-released 2012 edition of the Olive Industry Directory. This vital annual reference book for the olive industry also includes: updated olivegrower and processor listings, supplier listings, Buyers’ Guide – one-stop supply shop, organisations, calendar of 2012 events, 2011 statistics and 2011 industry overview. To order call +618 8369 9555, email [email protected] or visit www.olivegrower.com.au.