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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
The Fifth Greek Olive Oil and Olive Festival took place in Athens in April. The event attracted consumers as well as those involved in the olive and olive oil industries; Participants received up-to-date information in the field of production, legislation and promotion of olive oil and olives. Of particular interest was the educational session presenting new marketing concepts for Greek olive oil producers. Speakers discussed the importance of a new approach to this age-old product of Greece.
Does the recovering economy have you feeling all spendy again? If so, Greece-based Speiron has just the luxury item for you – a $15,000 bottle of super premium extra virgin olive oil. That’s right, the 17-ounce bottle of Lambda pours for $147 per teaspoon. That’s per teaspoon, not tablespoon. It’s not simply that the olives are sourced from some of the oldest olive trees in all of Greece, harvested and pressed within hours, and filled by hand to preserve freshness and fruitiness, it’s also about exclusivity, says SmartMoney’s Charles Passy. “You’re really not buying the oil, you’re buying the bottle,” he says. “They packaged it to the deluxe level with specialty woods, gold wrapping, and your signature on the bottle.”
As they suggest, at $15,000 a bottle this oil is almost worth its weight in gold – Ed!
‘Organic’ processors could be set for a “significant improvement” in the protection of produce against pathogens through the development of new wash system practices using ultrasound.
The Tel Aviv District Court has ruled that Tit Bit Food Industries, which manufactures the iconic Izhar olive oil brand, will go into receivership. The company owes NIS 170 million to seven banks. The petition for receivership revealed that the company’s financial difficulties date back a decade, and that in 2002 the banks and the firm agreed on terms for the repayment of the debt. In 2010, however, the company’s finances took a turn for the worse and it found itself unable to pay creditors.
Driven by rising consumer demand for olive oil, growers are buying land for olives or adding olive acreage at a swift pace — allowing them to diversify with a crop that uses relatively little water and thrives in low-quality soil. The California Olive Oil Council estimates that 5,000 new acres will be planted each year in California through 2020. It estimates olive oil production will hit 2 million gallons for this year’s crop, up from 1.4 million gallons for 2011-2012.
Further safeguarding olive biodiversity by setting up the world’s third olive germplasm bank – in Izmir, Turkey – was at the top of the agenda for a meeting at the International Olive Council’s Madrid headquarters on April 13. The creation of a collection at sufficient distance from the existing ones in Marrakesh, Morocco, and Córdoba, Spain, is seen as prudent to help ensure plant survival in the event of loss, such as due to natural catastrophes and disease.
This year’s Tocal Field Days event will be held from Friday 4–Sunday 6 May, at the Tocal Agricultural Centre, Tocal NSW. The Tocal Field Days are held every year in the first weekend in May, with exhibitors featuring the latest in farming techniques and technologies from solar energy to fencing construction. There are also demonstrations, a range of entertainment including piglet races and the Grand Parade, and great food and wine. Tocal is 14km from Maitland and a free shuttle bus will operate from Maitland Railway station on the hour from 9am each day. More information https://www.tocalfielddays.com
All the industry information you need to know is out now in the 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.
Olives New Zealand is conducting a training course survey. To provide feedback on what type of courses, where, when and duration, click here