Celebrating 30 years of the AOA
Australia’s peak industry organisation for the olive industry is celebrating three decades of quality, growth and camaraderie.
The Australian Olive Association was officially established on 21 February 1996, as the national peak industry body representing Australian olive growers.
AOA Director Paul Miller has been with the organisation since its very early days. His involvement began in 2000 when he was asked to join the board, before beginning his long tenure as president the following year.
He said the organisation’s achievements are something to be proud of.
“Australian consumers now believe that Australian extra virgin olive oil and olives are superior to the competition – this is no mean feat. When I started, most local producers tried to make their packaging look Italian,” Mr Miller said.
“Most importantly the feeling of belonging to something special for members is evident at our conferences.
“With underestimated importance, this is valuable when times are buoyant like they are now and even more valuable during difficult in times such as the global price discounting race-to-the-bottom period experienced from about 2004 to 2013.”
Let’s take a look back at some of the AOA’s key achievements over the last 30 years
Olive Levy: The national Olive Levy was implemented on 1 May 2013, to help ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability and profitability. Implementation of the levy followed a successful industry ballot and two years’ negotiation with government and industry. Now, levy funds are used to support a wide range of research and development initiatives and biosecurity activities, for the benefit of producers and the wider sector.
Australian standard for olive oil: The standard, AS 5264-2011, was published in 2011, the culmination of a large amount of work by the AOA including the funding of world-leading research (in partnership with RIRDC) and the long-term work on international trade standards (in conjunction with DAFF). This standard is increasingly being adopted as a benchmark in other oil-producing nations, helping to underpin standards and lift the quality of olive oil worldwide.
Australian industry advocacy: The AOA’s close working relationship with Hort Innovation Australia and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) continues to provide positive outcomes for the olive industry. It has allowed the AOA to build relationships within government and engage on a much deeper level, ensuring the Australian olive industry is well represented and considered in decision-making.
International advocacy: The AOA’s long-term international advocacy work is helping to create future market opportunities for genuine Australian extra virgin olive oil. This work has resulted in advanced olive oil standards where AS 5264-2011 has been the model for standards adopted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), South Africa and the Food Chemicals Codex of United States Pharmacopeia. It has also supported national standards being proposed in the USA along similar lines.
Focus on quality: The AOA has maintained an unwavering focus on the quality of Australian extra virgin olive oil and olives, providing quality assurance and confidence for domestic and international consumers and investors. This has been achieved through initiatives such as the industry Code of Practice OliveCare® and the annual Australian International Olive Awards, which celebrates and promotes quality extra virgin olive oil, flavoured olive oil and table olives.
Protecting the future: The AOA has continued its involvement in biosecurity efforts and national Xylella planning and preparedness, helping to safeguard the nation’s agriculture sector from one of the world’s most serious emerging plant disease threats. This has included representation at national planning workshops alongside other industries, research partners and government agencies, ensuring Australian olives are recognised as a high-risk host, and growers and producers remain at the forefront of discussions on prevention and response.
Industry education: The AOA’s commitment to nation-wide industry education and development has been a cornerstone of the organisation since its inception. Education and training events such as the popular Back to Basics Field Day, annual Olive Oil Processing Workshop, TasteBook® sensory appreciation training and ongoing webinars have been critical in satisfying the ever-increasing thirst for knowledge among Australian olive growers.
Research and development support: The AOA has supported a raft of valuable R&D initiatives through Agrifutures Australia and Hort Innovation Australia. This knowledge now underpins popular and ongoing extension activities and resources, many of which are available on the Australian Olive Association website.
Industry communication: The AOA has long provided industry news, advice and support for Australian growers, first via The Olive Press, then Australian & New Zealand Olivegrower & Processor magazine and now, through multi-faceted online communication provided via Friday Olive Extracts, Grove Innovation, R&D Insights and social media. These articles, resources and more are available on the Australian Olive Association website.
National industry conference: Successful National Olive Industry Conference & Exhibition events have been held annually since the organisation began. These highly anticipated events have grown in popularity in recent years, bringing together growers and industry members from across the country and abroad, to learn, collaborate and network.