US olive oil imports continue steady climb

Olive oil and olive pomace oil imports into the United States are still steadily climbing, achieving 7 percent growth over last year, the latest International Olive Council (IOC) figures show. They totalled 290,227 tons for the first 11 months of the 2011/12 season) and are expected to top 300,000 tons once the September figures are in, according to the IOC’s October market newsletter. Italy remains the leading supplier, with 143,656 tons and up 4%. Spain follows with 84,371 tons but greater growth, 35%, season-on-season.