Industry News
To search by topic, use the 'News by category' filter. To search by month and year, use the 'News by month' filter.
The European Commission has deemed green olives from Halkidiki in northern Greece as products with protected designation of origin (PDO), it was announced in early June. Halkidiki is known for producing large green olives that have a high nutritional value. Local producers have been trying for some time to gain the PDO status for their products.
CreAgri Inc. has been awarded the Paris Polyphenols 2012 Award for the most effective, innovative and sustainable process to recover healthy polyphenols from agricultural biomass. Held in Paris on June 7-8, and organized by ISANH, Paris Polyphenols 2012 was the premier venue to discuss the latest clinical evidence supporting the use of polyphenols for health and wellness, and to further scientific knowledge in general regarding polyphenols derived from fruits and vegetables wastes.
Olive oil imports from Italy and Spain registered an increase of 49% during the calendar year 2011, at 5,938 tonnes compared to 2010, according to Indian Olive Oil Association. The imports stood at 3,988 tonne in 2010, based on customs data from Italy and Spain, the Indian Olive Oil Association said in a recent release. Italy and Spain together constitute more than 90% of India’s olive oil imports.
The country’s olive oil imports increased over 52% in 2011-12, in line with a rise in consumption. This growth is despite the weakening of the rupee that has made imports costlier. Olive oil imports touched 6,485 tonnes against 4,261 tonnes the previous year, said the India Olive Association. The growth trend in imports would be sustained in the current fiscal year, as consumption is expected to remain strong on rising awareness of health benefits of olive oil. Rising affordability and increasing exposure to western lifestyles is aiding the consumption trend.
World-renowned biological farming experts are coming to Australia this month to present at BFA’s annual farming roadshows, this year being held in Bundaberg (QLD), Bungendore (NSW) and Albury (NSW) from 19-23 July 2012. Participants will learn about the latest in biological farming techniques from US farmer, international soil health expert and author Gary Zimmer and respected researcher and author Leilani Zimmer-Durand. The one-day regional seminars will address issues specific to local farmers on how to improve soil health and increase productivity and profitability. Bookings are now open – more information and registrations https://www.bfa.com.au/Events/BFARoadshows.aspx
A Canowindra producer of organic winegrapes, olives and figs has been selected among the three finalists in the inaugural 2012 New South Wales Organic Pioneers Award. Sam Statham’s family business Rosnay is a certified organic farm producing winegrapes (20ha vineyard), olives (10ha) and figs (1ha). Value-added products include wine, olives in brine, olive paste, figs in syrup, fig preserve, and fig syrup.
The 10th annual Montalto Vineyard And Olive Grove Abundance Festival will be held this weekend, July 7-8 at the Redhill, Victoria property. A celebration of the olive harvest, the event includes olive and food-inspired market stalls, freshly pressed olive oils, cooking demonstrations, relaxing olive oil massages and Montalto Estate wine tastings. There’s also a martini bar, the Piazza Café, an olive tree nursery and entertainment including live music, an olive pit spitting competition and a kids’ corner with face painting and tractor-drawn carriage rides. More information https://www.montalto.com.au/olives-and-estate-produce/olive-festival.html
The official EU organic logo is now obligatory on all pre-packaged organic foods after the two-year transition period came to an end on 1 July. This mandatory status relates to products from EU Member States, however, and the logo remains optional for non-packed and imported products.
The launch of a new research project investigating the production of bio-plastics from olive mill waste waters promises an environmentally friendly use for the 30 billion litres of waste water generated around the world each year. The Oli-Pha project is the result of a amalgamation of industries, research facilities and universities from major olive oil producing regions in Europe and Latin America. The olive processing, plastics, packaging, food engineering , and environmental sectors have joined to realize the venture, which was launched in the Parc Mediterrani de la Tecnologia de Castelldefels in Barcelona in mid June this year.
On the Dalmatian island of Brac, in cooperation with the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb, extensive research and inventory of indigenous varieties of olives has begun. The purpose of the project is to create a basis for branding varietal extra virgin olive oil which can conquer the European market. The olives need to be of high quality with a distinctive taste and research has already begun on the eastern side of the island, where a rare variety of buhavica is grown, buhavica are considered to be authentic Brac olives, reports daily newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija.