Industry News

Uncle Joe’s of Marlborough are working towards three in a row at this year’s New Zealand Gourmet Oil Competition.

Olives are becoming a significant crop in Australian agriculture both for domestic consumption and export. Over the coming months Australians will be told a lot about the importance of freshness, varying tastes and the health, dietary benefits and enjoyment of genuine Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oils.

Entries are now open for the New Zealand Gourmet Oil Competition. Celebrating the success, quality and variety of New Zealand’s gourmet oils, the competition, now in its sixth year, is held in conjunction with the Royal New Zealand Show.

Australian and New Zealand olive producers are invited to be part of A Guide to Australian and New Zealand Olive Oils 2010, a joint endeavor between Ryan Publications, publisher of Olivegrower & Processor magazine and The Olive Industry Directory, and Jenny Birrell, olive oil retailer (Melbourne) and editor of The Guide.

Olivegrower & Processor has two Silky Zubat 330mm pruning saws, each valued at $110, courtesy of Allendale Garden Products, to give away with the release of the July-August 2009 edition of the magazine.

BioFach Japan and Natural EXPO is Asia-Pacific’s premier trade show for organic and natural products. This year’s event is being held from 7-9 October in Tokyo and will focus on one big question for organic producers: Is the organic and natural market feeling the squeeze of the economic downturn?

The Olivegrower & Processor ‘Rake in the Savings’ competition has been run and won as announced in the May-June issue of the magazine. The Australian winner was Campbell Mercer, from Mt Egerton in Victoria, while the New Zealand winner was Charmaine Maitland of Man ‘o War Olive Groves at Waiheke Island.

Experienced oil tasters are invited to register their interest in attending the Judges Oil Tasting Workshop on Sunday, 9 August 2009, with a view to participating in the 2009 Perth Royal Show Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition Judging Panel on the weekend of 22 and 23 August 2009.

The production and export of Australian olive oil has risen exponentially in recent years making the industry, with its consistent production of high quality oil, the envy of many traditional olive oil-producing countries.