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Producers are reminded that the Olives NZ Certification Program 2012 is now a ‘one-stop shop’ administered by the Executive Officer (EO). Samples can no longer be sent to AsureQuality or Plant and Food. Documentation, samples and payment go to the EO, who manages assessment (chemical and sensory) and provides qualification certificates which allow the use of the OliveMark. Certification documentation has been emailed to all members and can also be download here https://www.olivesnz.org.nz/members-news/certification/2012-certification-programme-and-documentation/ . The 55+ samples sent to date have all received positive results.
**Note: receipt of a submission by Olives NZ to receipt of results from DPI is generally 4-5 weeks, therefore 10 August is the last day for receipt of oils for certification to ensure entry into the 2012 ONZ Awards. There will also be no submissions sent to DPI from 17 August-10 September as the EO will be away.
There’s a profusion of olive oil brands in the market as health-conscious, upwardly mobile Indians make it the cooking medium of choice. Indian taste buds are flowering, thanks primarily to international cookery and health food shows on television. Sure enough, olive oil is grabbing prime space on kitchen shelves, as it is said to be healthier and less fattening. Used primarily for massages till about a decade ago, olive oil has emerged as one of the healthiest cooking mediums in India. Rising health awareness coupled with promotional campaigns run by both exporting nations and Indian importers have aided the trend.
“How many calories does an apple contain? How much protein is found in yoghurt? Which fruit contains the most vitamin C, oranges or black currants?” These questions and many others are answered by a newly updated database of nutritional content for 1440 foods – including olive oil.
The price of olive oil in Europe dropped by 4.6% in the first half of this year, and the price manufacturers paid growers for their olives fell even more steeply. Nevertheless, the price of olive oil in Israel rose by about 7% during those six months, the market research firm Nielsen found. Producers and retailers both deny any responsibility.
Online entries are now open for the New York International Olive Oil Competition. A panel of international olive oil judges will scrutinise entries from around the globe to find the year’s best olive oils, with separate award categories for regular and organic production designations. Organised by olive oil publication, Olive Oil Times, the five-day event in SoHo will include tastings, workshops and culinary demonstrations. The Awards Gala Dinner at the International Culinary Center will encompass a press conference to announce the contest winners, followed by a menu highlighting the award-winning olive oils. Enter https://nyoliveoil.com/enter/
Australian olive growers will take their campaign for a fair market for olive oil to a meeting today in Adelaide. It will be a state and federal ministerial council meeting. Federal Opposition spokesman on Consumer Affairs Bruce Billson has called for the issue of misleading labelling of imported brands to be put on the agenda for the meeting, which is being chaired by state Minister for Consumers John Rau. Mr Rau said he was happy for the issue to be discussed under the general heading of food labelling, “an area of consumer law which requires constant vigilance”.
An invitation to participate in the Australian Golden Olive Awards is extended to all Australian olive growers. This is the 13th annual award and organisers rate the event as one of the best value for money competitions for extra virgin olive oil and table fruit. Closing date for participation forms is 21 July; closing date for submission of product, entry form and payment is 9 August, with the Celebration Dinner and Presentation of Awards to be held on Saturday, 15 September, 2012 at the Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, Wangaratta. Download the Invitation to Participate form https://www.vicolives.com.au
Olive oil producers are enjoying a surge in exports to China on the back of rapidly rising wine exports. South-East producer Grant Wylie from Pendleton Fine Foods, among the beneficiaries of the jump in exports to China, has shipped consignments there and to Malaysia in the past week. “China is expected to become Australia’s largest export customer for olive oil this year, replacing the US which has dropped off due to continuing economic problems,” Mr Wylie said.
The 2012 AGM of OFA will now be held on Friday, July 20 from 3-5pm at the Sustain Show, Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park, Sydney, NSW. Business will include the Directors’ activity report , audited accounts and the election of office bearers. All welcome. For bookings contact Naomi Cauley on ph: 07 3396 5746 or email: [email protected]
Calendars get full so easily these days, so make sure you’ve got these important olive industry dates locked in on your calendar:
• 18 September – Tasting Extra Virgin Olive Oils for Aspiring Judges
• 29 September – 2012 Olives New Zealand Awards Dinner
• 3 November – 2012 NZ Olive Festival
• 16 March 2012 – Olives New Zealand Conference
If you’ve got an industry event you’d like to promote, send the details to [email protected] and we’ll include them in the next edition of Friday Olive Extracts. It’s free and, with each fortnightly edition going out to more than 3000 subscribers, is a great way to spread the word.