11/05/2012: ABARES Regional Outlook conferences
ABARES is delivering commodity forecasts, research and analysis directly to rural and regional Australia at the2012 series of one-day Regional Outlook conferences. Promoting industry productivity, community vitality and environmental sustainability, the 2012 conferences will balance national and regional perspectives; focus on the future; and emphasise agricultural, fisheries and forestry strategies that work in a context of economic volatility and climatic variability. Delegates from businesses, government, and the community will discuss industry trends, access forecasts and other information, make new contacts in their community and be exposed to new ideas while gaining an understanding of global issues that affect their region. Seven conferences held around Australia, starting with Berri on May 16. More information http://www.daff.gov.au/abares/conferences-events/regional-outlook

11/05/2012: Eight top food trends to drive consumers by 2020
Top food trends will dominate European shoppers’ buying habits by the year 2020, predicts Spanish research organisation Azti-Tecnalia. Top trends include demands for transparent and accessible information, and foods which offer a multi-sensory experience – sounds like EVOO!

11/05/2012: Record harvest of olives needed to weather the storm
There has been a record harvest of olives in Spain this winter with production totalling over 1.56 tons. But this bumper crop could be necessary to weather the storm after low rainfall and frost this winter has damaged predictions for the coming year.

11/05/2012: Olive grower takes the plunge against dodgy oil imports
An olive grower has plunged into a bath of olive oil on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra to protest against cheap and dodgy olive oil imports. Richard Whiting, from Frances in South Australia, stripped down to his swimmers and claimed Australian consumers have been duped by supermarkets and the ACCC. He says Australia has a labelling standard for extra virgin oil that's not being enforced. We’ll bring you more on the event, and any outcomes, in the June-July edition of Olivegrower & Processor.

11/05/2012: The good oil on Australian olives
The wet weather that soured the harvest season for Hunter grape growers, now appears to be impacting on olive producers. But while yields are down, the sector is still making progress, with Australia’s olive oil production expected to increase two-fold by 2014.

11/05/2012: Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes program heads to the US
Following rave reviews from attendee members, the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA) is awarding five scholarships for the first Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes program in the US, to be held later this year on the US East Coast. It’s a feather in the cap for the Australian-based Savantes organisation, led by industry expert and Victorian producer Simon Field, and deserved recognition for the internationally-renowned program. Founded in 2001 the program runs annually in Australia and Europe and has been held in Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand. Places are still available for the Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes Oil Tasting program on 25-27 July 2012 in Melbourne. For information and bookings visit www.savantes.com.

11/05/2012: Supermarket olive oil testing results
TV One’s “Fair Go” have carried out chemical and sensory analysis of a range of supermarket olives oils to see if they are actually EVOO. They promise the consumer will be surprised at the results. Watch it next Wednesday, May 16 at 7.30pm on TV One.

11/05/2012: Harvest 2012 worth the wait
Northland are almost finished but have been harvesting around a month later than usual. Their patience has been rewarded with good yields and beautiful oils. So that is the message for others out there - patience!

11/05/2012: On the up for olives
The Spanish have long been proclaiming the olive as the ideal snack. Now it seems the rest of the world is catching on, with British consumers prefering the more sophisticated olives to the old fashioned bar snack of peanuts. Tesco – the country’s biggest supermarket – has revealed olive sales rose by 44% in 2010, while peanut sales stayed stagnant.

11/05/2012: Major olive producing village ordered to uproot 1,400 trees by May 1
On April 25, Israel ordered Palestinian farmers in Deir Istiya, a major West Bank olive producing village, to uproot 1,400 trees by the end of the month. By comparison, this order is 400 more trees than the total number uprooted in all of 2011.

11/05/2012: Greece’s backroad ‘bulk’ olive oil trade
300 liters or nearly 80 gallons. That’s the most homemade olive oil one Greek family bought at once from Yiannis and Mina Roboras, who have been producing their own olive oil in the Peloponnese region of Greece for more than 20 years. “It a long family tradition,” Mina says proudly. “Our olive oil is special because our mountains haven’t been spoiled by industrialization as other areas have. Our olive oil is 100 percent pure and we think – better quality than in the stores.”

11/05/2012: US organic market continues to outpace conventional food sales growth
The US organic market grew 9.5% last year, breaking the $30bn barrier for the first time, and continuing to outpace sales of non-organic food, according to a new report from the Organic Trade Association (OTA).

11/05/2012: Oil quality assurance collaboration could boost production efficiency – Cargill
Collaborative research, conducted by food processor Cargill and the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS), has led to the refinement of methods to assure consistent oil quality in food products.

11/05/2012: Spanish olive oil production sets record
Spain has pumped out a record 1.59 million tons of olive oil this season, according to figures to March 31 released in late April by Spain’s Olive Oil Agency (AAO). With milling nearly complete for 2011/12, the figure easily supersedes the country’s previous high of nearly 1.42 million tons in 2003/04.

11/05/2012: Wheels greased for more olive oil shops
Greater Milwaukee is about to get a couple more specialty olive oil shops. Owners Jim and Susan Allen plan to open Oliva di Vita in Delafield on Monday. The following week, Josh and Nichol Saiia will open their third Oro di Oliva, this one in the Milwaukee Public Market. That will give the area five shops in a retail niche that has just emerged here in the last several years. Don’t we wish for that sort of consumer interest and support! – Ed.

11/05/2012: Certification 2012
Olives New Zealand reports that Certification 2012 is ready to roll but submissions to the testing service have to be done in batches of 12 bottles. Note you do not need to allow your oils to settle before drawing off your bottles for Certification - just don't take it off the bottom of the tank or canister. The sooner you get your oils in for Certification, the sooner you can start using the OliveMarks on your bottles. For more information, email admin@olivesnz.org.nz.

11/05/2012: New Olivegrower & Processor out
The March-May 2012 edition of Australia & New Zealand Olivegrower & Processor hit letterboxes over the last week and is providing great reading across our two continents. Highlights are comprehensive coverage of the 2012 Olives New Zealand Conference and Olives to Oil Workshop, along with features on processing, pruning and frost. This edition also has the first of the 2012 harvest predictions, covering Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia. If you haven’t got yours, subscribe now

27/04/2012: Training course survey
Olives New Zealand is conducting a training course survey. To provide feedback on what type of courses, where, when and duration, click here

27/04/2012: 2012 Certification program
Olives New Zealand has launched Certification 2012 and is now accepting oils for assessment. Snappy growers in Northland have already started their submissions and the first shipment is due off in May. All oils that meet certification requirements will be issued with an Olives New Zealand Certificate that may be used for credentialing or marketing purposes. For more information contact admin@olivesnz.org.nz or go to www.olivesnz.org.nz.

27/04/2012: 2012 Olive Industry Directory
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 admin@olivegrower.com.au or visit www.olivegrower.com.au.

27/04/2012: Tocal Field Days
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 http://www.tocalfielddays.com

27/04/2012: Tocal Field Days
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 http://www.tocalfielddays.com

27/04/2012: AOA 2012 Conference & Expo
The 2012 National Conference & Trade Exhibition will now be held on 30-31 October at Adelaide. Further details will be announced in coming weeks.

27/04/2012: Arts in the Olives festival
The annual Arts in the Olives will be held this year on Sunday, May 13 (Mothers Day). The venue is once again the Worendo olive grove in Lost World Valley, 35kms south of Beaudesert in southern Queensland. Organised by the Beaudesert and District Community Arts Projects (BADCAP) and the Lost World Valley community group, the festival features a program of arts workshops in basketry, blacksmithing, stone sculpture, woodcarving, needle felting, photography and more - children's workshops are free. This year’s theme is sculpture, with a number of excellent tutor/artists teaching and exhibiting. There will also be live music, good food and wine, and artisan stalls with hand made goods, all in a lovely olive grove on the banks of the Albert River. More information www.artsintheolives.com

27/04/2012: Cioloş promises shake-up
Beefed up testing, better classification of olive oil and reaching out to non-EU producers are among a package of measures promised by European Commissioner for Agriculture Dacian Cioloş after meeting in Córdoba this week with members of Spain’s olive oil sector including its Interprofesional del Aceite de Oliva Español (Interprofessional).

27/04/2012: Conference 2012 feature - Mar-May Olivegrower & Processor
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

27/04/2012: Iconic Israeli olive oil manufacturer of 80 years goes into receivership
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.

27/04/2012: March-May Olivegrower on its way
The March-May edition of Olivegrower & Processor will hit letterboxes next week. Highlights of this edition include a feature on the Olives New Zealand 2012 Conference and oil workshop, the first of our annual harvest outlook reports, and great practical information on pruning, predicting frost and marketing. Don’t miss out – subscribe: www.olivegrower.com.au

27/04/2012: Genosa’s olive extract GRAS for food and beverage
Spanish company Genosa has announced that its olive extract Hytolive has received GRAS status following a review by panel of independent experts.

27/04/2012: Olive oil that costs more than a luxury vacation?
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!

27/04/2012: Back in black, Deoleo plans expansion
Spanish food giant Deoleo – owner of olive oil brands Carbonell, Bertolli, Carapelli, Koipe and Sasso – is back in the black and planning to double its size via growth in emerging markets. After what it described as “a period of instability, profound change and restructuring,” the Madrid-based world leader in olive oil trade booked a net profit of €1.1m for 2011 after a €56.5m loss the year before.

27/04/2012: Conference offers more ideas for Greek olive oil marketers
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.

27/04/2012: Olive inventories grow despite poor crops
Californian table olive distributors still have seven million cans in storage despite another disappointing crop in 2011, the head of a state marketing group said. Growers in California ended up with just under 27,000 tons from last year's harvest, noted Alexander Ott, executive director of the California Olive Committee. That's a mere drop in the bucket compared to the record 195,000 tons harvested in 2010. Still, inventories grew from the 5.3 million cans on hand after last season, which is causing the committee to ramp up its marketing programs. The panel is using Twitter and Facebook and attending blogger conferences to younger consumers who aren't as aware of California olives, even though they've long been grown in the state.

27/04/2012: Third olive bank in Izmir, Turkey to help stem genetic erosion
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.

27/04/2012: Olive oil production booms in Yolo County
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.

27/04/2012: Pathogen-combatting ultrasound wash system could provide organic alternative - developer
‘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.

27/04/2012: Europe tries to solve its olive oil crisis
The EU Farm Commissioner has launched a plan to rescue the European olive industry from low prices and increasing costs. It's a move welcomed by the Olive Oil Working Party of Europe, which says the market is in serious crisis, because prices have dropped to 50% below their level 10 years ago. In a situation that mirrors Australia, farmers say they're up against 'the buying power of a handful of supermarkets'.

27/04/2012: Professor: term 'antioxidant' should be banished from food labels
The term ‘antioxidant’ should be banished from food labels and replaced with more specific claims about the health benefits of the phytonutrients and other ingredients in question, according to one leading academic.

27/04/2012: Record olive harvest in Baena
Despite budget cuts and the current poor financial climate, Spanish olive oil production in the Baena region of Córdoba has reached record-breaking levels with its last harvest. The Denomination of Origin Baena reported collection of 270 million kilograms of olives and over 57 million kilos of oil, which represents a record harvest for the quality label.

13/04/2012: Chile Oliva Launches "Truly Extra Virgin" Campaign
On April 10 Chile Oliva, the Chilean Association of Growers and Producers of Olives and Olive Oil, launches its first consumer campaign in the U.S., which asks the question "How Virgin is Your Extra Virgin?" The mission of the campaign is to expand the position of Chilean extra virgin olive oil into new markets, with a focus on New York, Miami and Boston. The campaign was created by Vivaldi Partners Group, a global brand strategy and marketing consulting firm.

13/04/2012: 2012 Certification Program
Olive New Zealand’s 2012 Certification Program is scheduled for release next Friday, April 20, following the next meeting of the Executive on April 18. Full details will be circulated to members shortly afterwards, and also made available on the ONZ website - www.olivesnz.org.nz.

13/04/2012: Olive regions work on joint strategy to maintain EU subsidies
A new olive oil lobby group is urgently preparing a position paper to protect its members from threatended subsidy cuts by the European Commission. At its meeting in Barcelona on last Tuesday, the Forum of European Olive Regions agreed to complete the so-called white paper before the end of June in order to “defend itself in Brussels” as negotiations heat up over the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) structure and budget for 2014-2020. Among changes proposed by the EC is paying all olive farmers a flat rate per hectare rather than paying some according to production history – a change which would see France and Spain lose the most.

13/04/2012: 2012 Australian Golden Olive Awards
The AGOA (Australian Golden Olive Awards), run by the Olive Producers (NE Vic), will be held for the 13th time this year. The Invitation to Participate must be returned by Friday, 21 July. Standard bottles and/or jars, code labels and entry forms will then be returned by the Steward and must be returned with payment by 9 August. The celebration dinner and award presentation will be held on 15 September, 2012. Organisers say this is a prestigeous award and the best value for money, with testing results provided free. Download the Invitation to Participate here

13/04/2012: Biodynamics workshops
John Priestley and Hamish Mackay are once again conducting biodynamic workshops in Western Australia, running from 28 April to 14 May. Topics vary and venues include Perth, Cowaramup, Mt Barker, Denmark, Narembeen and Chittering Valley. They will also be in Donnybrook with Brett Kirkpatrick for a two-day biodynamic preparation making workshop on May 12-13.

13/04/2012: Olive Field Day in Victoria – clarification
The Olive Field Day scheduled for 4 May at Yea is not being sponsored by AOA Victoria, as per information provided for the March 30 edition of Friday Olive Extracts. The event is presented by the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Murrindindi Olive Grove and Kingsford Machinery Sales & Service. For more information contact Umberto Frattali on 0418 333 586 or umberto@frattali.com, or Tom Tigani on 0429 377 886.

13/04/2012: Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes Oil Tasting program
Places are still available for the Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes Oil Tasting program on 25-27 July 2012 in Melbourne. Established in 2001, the Savantes program gives participants the opportunity to taste some of the best extra virgin olive oils from around the world, developing their oil tasting skills, knowledge and experience. For information about the program, presenters and booking visit www.savantes.com

13/04/2012: Australian tests show up dodgy American olive oil
Testing by a NSW laboratory has found some bottles of extra virgin olive oil, sold in US supermarkets, are in fact half canola oil. Adjunct Professor with Australian Oils Research, Rod Mailer, says the testing had to be done at Wagga Wagga because the US didn't have the right equipment. He says Australia has seen very similar contamination in olive oil imported from Europe. Dr Mailer says that, in two tests, the laboratory found up to 75% of the oil sent from the US would not have passed IOC standards.

13/04/2012: 2012 Olive Industry Directory shows varietal changes in groves
Changes in varieties grown in Australian and New Zealand olive groves mark one of the most interesting movements within the industry over the past 12 months. Statistics gathered for the 2012 Australian and New Zealand Olive Industry Directory show significant decreases in four of the major varietals grown in Australia, and an upward swing in popularity for the Kalamata variety among New Zealand growers. The latter no doubt reflects the strong growth in table olive production experienced over the previous five years, a trend which the figures show has steadied in among New Zealand producers over the past year. You’ll find this and all the industry information you need to know in the newly-released 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 admin@olivegrower.com.au or visit www.olivegrower.com.au.

13/04/2012: Grove Census data still welcome
Olives NZ has commenced compiling data collected through its recent Grove Census, based on more than 115 responses representing over 155 groves. Responses are still welcomed – particularly from the Auckland, Waiheke Island and Marlborough regions, which are currently under-represented - so if you haven’t done so, please complete and forward your form at the earliest convenience. All grower participation is most appreciated, contributing to this very important industry project. Send your completed form to, or request a form from, EO Gayle Sheridan at: admin@olivesnz.org.nz.

13/04/2012: Olive oil could help Greece restart its economy
A recent study under the title Greece 10 years ahead aspires to set the foundations for the economic recovery of the teetering country. The study, produced by McKinsey management consulting firm in Athens, proposes a ‘National Growth Model’ that prioritizes what has to be done and in which sectors of the economy. Tourism and energy are considered key sectors. Equally, agriculture is not a small cog in a large wheel but rather a big player that will yield substantial income and create job positions. When the term ‘agriculture’ is used in Greece, one thing certainly comes in mind: olives and olive oil.

13/04/2012: Spanish researchers develop portable ‘electronic nose’
Spanish researchers have developed a cheap, portable ‘electronic nose’ they say has great promise for use in organoleptic testing and food quality control. While so-called e-noses themselves are not new, the University of Extremadura Sensory Systems Research Group says its system reduces the time and cost of testing. In a recent press release, researcher Jesus Lozano said that the new system – which mimics the human nose – could not only deliver quantitative results in a minute, it cost ten times less than existing methods to set up.

13/04/2012: Olive trees successfully cultivated in Kashmir
In a breakthrough, scientists have claimed successful cultivation of olive trees, a prized Mediterranean produce, for the first time in Kashmir, owing to favorable weather conditions there. Scientists and researchers at Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH) have grown olive trees in its farms, where the project to study the behavior of olive trees in the local climatic conditions has been underway since 2008.

13/04/2012: Spain rescues its millennium-old olive trees
They have seen generations pass, the world change, and survived droughts and cold spells for a thousand years. Yet, just as they did in the Middle Ages, Spain‘s millennium-old olive trees continue giving humans their green gold - a highly prized olive oil variety, which is now becoming popular as far away as Asia and the Americas. Spain is rediscovering its ancient olive trees, which had been endangered by the advance of urbanization and a search for more productive olive tree varieties. The country‘s largest concentration of the ancient trees can be found in the north-eastern community of Taula del Senia - a grouping of 27 municipalities - where they number more than 4,600 in an area of 1,100 square kilometres.

13/04/2012: Olive oil prices fall to nine-year low, oil world says
Olive oil prices fell to a nine- year low on record production in Spain and rising stocks, combined with lower domestic consumption, Oil World reported. Spanish olive-oil production in 2011-12 is forecast to rise to 1.56 million metric tons from 1.38 million tons a year earlier, the Hamburg-based oilseed researcher wrote in a report. “Producers are now claiming that in many cases prices have fallen below production costs,” Oil World wrote. “Domestic consumption of olive oil apparently declined so far this season as a result of the economic crisis and increased availability of attractively priced sunflower oil.”

13/04/2012: Brazil olive oil imports boom, prices slump
Record olive oil production in Spain – already at 1.56 million tons by the end of February – leads the March market newsletter from the International Olive Council (IOC). Quoting figures from the Agencia para el Aceite de Oliva (Olive Oil Agency), the IOC highlights that this is well above the previous record of 1.41 million tons in 2003/04. The table olive harvest, meanwhile, is down 14% on last season, with just 519,310 tons so far netted.

13/04/2012: Pompeian receives first USDA quality monitoring verification for olive oil
Pompeian, Inc., with headquarters in Baltimore, MD, is the first olive oil manufacturer to attain the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service Quality Monitoring Product logo for its extra virgin and extra virgin organic olive oils. The Quality Monitoring Program verifies the purity and quality of olive oil through rigorous USDA product testing and review of production processes, and participating companies agree to allow the USDA to conduct unannounced visits to review and inspect quality assurance records, test product samples and verify labels on an ongoing basis.

13/04/2012: Chinese officials arrest more than 100 in rotten meat-based ‘gutter oil’ crackdown
Officials in China have arrested more than 100 people in a crackdown on a new type of ‘gutter oil’ made using animal processing waste including rotten animal fat. We can be grateful our oil fraud issues aren’t this bad, at least – Ed.

13/04/2012: Olive oil among foods most likely to be fraudulent
An analysis of the first known public database collecting reports on food fraud and economically-inspired adulteration in the industry has revealed the ingredients most likely to be at the centre of such scams, the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) – the organization that created the database — announced. According to the USP’s review of scholarly journal reports, the full results of which were published in the April issue of the Journal of Food Science, the seven ingredients most involved in cases of food fraud are: olive oil, milk, honey, saffron, orange juice, coffee, and apple juice.

30/03/2012: Conference and Olives to Oil booklets
If you could not make it to the Olives NZ Conference 2012 and/or the Olives to Oil Course you can still purchase the respective booklets. These contain presentations, handouts, and a list of all attendees, presenters and exhibitors. The Conference booklet also contains sample graphs from the Olive Grove Census. The Conference Booklet is $30 and the Olives to Oil is $20, both prices include GST and postage. To order contact admin@olivesnz.org.nz.

30/03/2012: 2012 Conference and Olives to Oil course
The 2012 Olives New Zealand Conference was a resounding success, with good attendance and a positive motivation for the way forward. ONZ executive officer Gayle Sheridan said the response from attendees was rewarding, showing ‘excitement and real commitment to the industry and the role of Olives NZ’. The Olives to Oil course held the next day was equally as successful, attracting 50 attendees for a full day of information sharing and learning on this important topic. Attendee feedback to the FOE team has been equally as enthusiastic, with participants praising both the organisation and content of the weekend’s events. So hats off to the Olives NZ executive for all their efforts and a job incredibly well done – Ed.

30/03/2012: New Constitution adopted
The new Constitution for Olives New Zealand was adopted unanimously at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on Saturday, 24 March in Auckland. Some 76 people attended the meeting, including seven non-member observers. The Executive will now work on implementing the new Constitution.

30/03/2012: Yellingbo Gold EVOO gives back to women and girls with every sale
In the social entrepreneurial spirit, Australia’s award-winning, Yellingbo Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil has partnered with several of the most effective women and girls’ development organisations to create a groundbreaking online platform called, 2+U=Change. The company’s owner, Jeremy Meltzer, is an ambassador for women’s rights.

30/03/2012: .. and packages available for Cibus 2012 – Parma, Italy
The Italian Chamber of Commerce is also promoting local participation at Cibus 2012, an annual international Food Exhibition in Parma, Italy. Cibus is the key event of the Italian agri-food sector, providing a platform to enable companies committed to ‘Made in Italy’ foods to meet major distributors, importers and professionals in domestic and foreign markets. Fiere di Parma is offering packages for Australian operators to participate at Cibus, with three options available. For further information, contact Antonio Rosato at arosato@italianchamber.net.au or 08 8232 4022 by 4 April 2012.

30/03/2012: Olive Study Tour 2012
The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Adelaide is organising an Olive Study Tour of Italy and Spain for late 2012. Departing on November 4, the tour will encompass marketing, table olives, bottling and buyers. For more information call the Chamber on (08) 8232 4022 or email info@italianchamber.com.au.

30/03/2012: 2012 Olive Industry Directory shows varietal changes in groves
Changes in varieties grown in Australian and New Zealand olive groves mark one of the most interesting movements within the industry over the past 12 months. Statistics gathered for the 2012 Australian and New Zealand Olive Industry Directory show significant decreases in four of the major varietals grown in Australia, and an upward swing in popularity for the Kalamata variety among New Zealand growers. The latter no doubt reflects the strong growth in table olive production experienced over the previous five years, a trend which the figures show has steadied in among New Zealand producers over the past year. You’ll find this and all the industry information you need to know in the newly-released 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 admin@olivegrower.com.au or visit www.olivegrower.com.au.

30/03/2012: ChileOliva hosts seminar on olive oil processing … with Australian expertise
The organization ChileOliva, in conjunction with InnovaChile, will host a seminar entitled “Calidad del Aceite de Oliva, Procesamiento y Eficiencia” (Olive Oil Quality, Processing and Efficiency) on April 4 at the Hotel Diego de Almagro Rancagua in central Chile. The seminar will include lectures on the many aspects of extra virgin olive oil production: quality-determining factors, storage procedures, energy efficiency and processing methods, to name a few, and will feature expert panelists including our own Pablo Canamasas of Boundary Bend.

30/03/2012: American olive oil producers draft federal marketing order
American olive oil producers are drafting a federal marketing order that would set higher quality standards, redefine grades and require new testing of all olive oil produced there. If they can get the order adopted by the USDA, industry sources say, domestic producers will push for the rules to apply to imports too. The effort is the latest in a series of initiatives intended to level the playing field with olive oil importers who have long enjoyed an absence of quality enforcement in the world’s biggest market. The result has been an extra virgin grade with no real meaning, and a public so accustomed to rancid olive oil, they actually prefer it in taste tests.

30/03/2012: Olive Field Day in Victoria
An Olive Field Day is being held on Friday, 4 May at Murrindindi Olive Grove, Yea. Presented by the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Murrindindi Olive Grove and Kingsford Machinery Sales & Service, the event is supported by AOA Victoria and will feature exhibitors and guest speakers on a range of relevant topics. The Murrindindi Olive Grove processing facility will be in full operation and accessible for viewing throughout the day. For more information contact Umberto Frattali on 0418 333 586 or umberto@frattali.com, or Tom Tigani on 0429 377 886.

30/03/2012: German dreamer brings olive oil farming to Nepal
When Nepal's first olive farm opened to produce extra-virgin oil from trees planted on the slopes of the Himalayas, the sceptics said it couldn't be done. But 17 years later Himalaya Plantations - the country's only producer - expects to turn its first profit, marking an unlikely success the company hopes may one day help boost agriculture in one of the world's poorest nations. "All the experts told us we were mad, that it would never work because we didn't have the Mediterranean conditions," said Hartmut Bauder, the company's German founder.

30/03/2012: Pakistan and Italy sign pact on olive cultivation
The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and Pakistan Italian Debt-for-Development Swap Agreement (PIDSA) have signed an agreement for execution of the project Promotion of olive cultivation for economic development and poverty alleviation, costing Rs382 million. The project aims to increase the local production of edible oil in order to reduce the imports and save foreign exchange. Olive plantation will generate direct and indirect job opportunities contributing to poverty alleviation, making use of waste, marginal and forestlands and sub-mountainous areas.

30/03/2012: As crude oil soars, olive oil price at rock bottom
The olive oil industry is “on its knees” as high production volumes are squeezing commodity prices to record lows. Olive oil has been an anomaly in the edible oils sector over the past two years. At a time when the price of other oils has soared - driven in part by the rising price of crude oil - olive oil prices have nosedived. According to suppliers, Spanish olive oil is currently going for about €2.20/kg, while Italian olive oil is on the market for about €2.50/kg. And in case we needed more argument for conversion to olive oil consumption…

30/03/2012: Trans fats linked to stroke incidence: study
Older women whose diets include a substantial amount of trans-fats are more likely than their counterparts to suffer an ischemic stroke, a new study suggests.

30/03/2012: Chile looks for stronger ties with Andalusia
Encouraged by strong numbers in recent years, Chile has asked Andalusia to lend technological and economic support to help expand its emerging olive oil sector and establish a “strategic business alliance” between the two entities. Sergio Romero Pizarro, the Chilean Ambassador to Spain, represented the South American country in a series of talks with Mayor of Jaén José E. Fernández de Moya and industry representatives. Pizarro used the occasion to invite businesses and entrepreneurs from the Andalusian capital to invest in Chile’s growing sector.

30/03/2012: Moroccan competition worries Spain's olive farmers
Armed with pincers, a small tractor grabs the trunk of an olive tree in southern Spain and shakes loose its fruit, which will be pressed in a few hours. Olive oil production in the Andalusia region reigns supreme, but farmers are beginning to worry about growing competition from Morocco. Spanish producers' concerns focus on a European Union agricultural free trade accord signed in February with the north African country. "The agreement with Morocco is a step towards ruin for Spanish olive oil producers," said farmer Lope Ruiz Lopez.

30/03/2012: Italy's olive oil production is no longer number 1
Coldiretti president Sergio Marini stated that ''today most bottles of oil on sale are from foreign olives, without consumers being aware of it.'' In his address to Vinitaly's conference on olive oil, Marini pointed out that in 2011 the imports of foreign olive oil reached an all-time high of 594,000 tonnes , thus surpassing domestic production which dropped to 483,000 tonnes. According to a study by the Italian farmers association Coldiretti, Italy is the top olive oil importer in the world.

30/03/2012: Herbals need better regulation to overcome quality control challenges, say researchers
Implementing better growing and manufacturing processes along with increasing the use of modern analytical techniques and greater international regulation would ‘undoubtedly’ reduce the issues surrounding the quality of herbal extracts, say researchers.

30/03/2012: Sweden may bring in trans fat legislation
Sweden may follow countries such as Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland and Austria, and implement legislation to limit the use of trans fats in foods, according to local media. Let’s hope the movement continues across the globe, and reflects in increased sales of healthful olive oil to replace all the banned trans fats – Ed.

30/03/2012: Council experts scrutinize olive oil testing methods
Experts who advise the International Olive Council on the chemical analysis of olive oil met in its Madrid headquarters last week to discuss issues including the results of recent trials of testing methods. Asked for details of the agenda and who would attend, an IOC spokeswoman said the meeting was strictly reserved for experts designated by IOC member countries. About 40 were expected to attend and no observers were permitted. The results of ongoing collaborative trials organized by the IOC – to check the reliability of, and to validate, tests – were discussed and the group reviewed new and existing methods of analysis designed to improve the quality and authenticity of olive oils and olive pomace oils.

30/03/2012: ... and photos
To view photographs from the 2012 Conference and Olives to Oil workshop visit: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.422722444411445.118138.231440906872934&type=1&l=d864990ea8#!/photo.php?fbid=422722561078100&set=a.422722444411445.118138.231440906872934&type=3&l=d864990ea8&theater. To place orders contact Gerry le Roux, Sciencelens Ltd on 027 510 5177, 06 3566 377 or gerry@sciencelens.co.nz.

02/03/2012: Extraordinary General Meeting
A reminder about the Olives New Zealand Extraordinary General Meeting, being held on Saturday, 24 March at the Sudima Airport Hotel, Auckland. The business is to adopt the proposed new Constitution. The meeting will start at 9am sharp. View the new Constitution http://www.olivesnz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Constitution-approved-by-Executive-December-2011.pdf.

02/03/2012: New Rural Industries Australia National Conference
New Rural Industries Australia (NRIA) is holding its 2012 national conference on 19-20 April at the Mercure Hotel and Conference Centre, Ballarat, Victoria. Entitled Rural enterprise, innovation and change, the two-day conference will feature keynote speakers, forums, workshops, gala dinner and a fashion show. Delegate, exhibitor and sponsorship registration is now open through the NRIA website www.nria.org.au/conference, with early bird discounts available.

02/03/2012: Olint Conference presentations available online
Super high density (SDH) olive specialists Olint held their 1st Annual Olive Oil Conference in Dixon, California on January 19-20. Presenting a wealth of practical and relevant information to olive and olive oil industry members, the conference also encompassed a trade show featuring the latest in related products and services. Conference speakers included AOA president Paul Miller, who presented on International Market Data and the Australian Standards Process, and Agromillora’s Xavier Rius, who gave three papers - Evolution of the SHD olive, Soil type and suitability of SHD and Irrigation scheduling. All the presentations are available for public downloadhttp://www.agromillora-ca.com/presentations/

02/03/2012: Spain declares trade deal a ‘disaster’
Moroccan olive oil producers say Spain should not be so scared of a wider EU-Morocco free trade deal – at least for now – because the United States market is their main target. Spain’s olive oil sector is in furore over the plan, which would eliminate an EU customs duty (currently about €1.25 per kilo) on Moroccan olive oil and restrict to 2000 tons the amount of EU oil allowed to enter Morocco tariff-free. The European Parliament ratified the proposal earlier this month by 369 votes to 225, with most of its Spanish members voting no. There is now talk of a Spanish appeal to Europe’s Court of Justice.

02/03/2012: ... and Olive Processing Workshop
Registration is also now open for the AOA’s two-day Olive Oil Processing Workshop, being held at the same location on 20-21 March, prior to the field day. Olive oil production expert Pablo Canamasas will run the hands-on workshop and sharing his skills on production techniques and oil quality. For registration forms or more information contact Leana Head on 08 8573 6545 or secretariat@australianolives.com.au.

02/03/2012: Vale Peter Maroudas
South Australian olive industry identity Peter Maroudas died suddenly at his home on Tuesday, February 21, aged 76. Peter and his wife Niki owned the Maroudas Organic Olive Oil Brand and processed for many growers at their Thebarton facility using the state’s first centrifugal press. Passionate and vocal about the industry, Peter will be remembered for his contribution to the development of organic olive growing in Australia, and as an inaugural member of the Olives SA committee. Peter’s commitment to the industry will be sadly missed by all who knew him, who will no doubt join us in extending our sympathies to his family. Peter’s funeral was held on Monday, February 27.

02/03/2012: Save the date – AOA national conference
The AOA has announced preliminary details of the 2012 National Olive Industry Conference & Trade Exhibition. The event will be held on Tuesday, 23 and Wednesday, 24 October 2012 in NSW, with further details regarding the location and venue to be announced. We’ll keep you updated as plans progress.

02/03/2012: Olives WA sensory training workshops
And a reminder about the Olives WA’s EVOO sensory training workshops on 24-25 March. Run by Richard Gawel, the workshops will cover the fundamentals of EVOO, and the effects of olive growing and processing methods on character and style. The courses will be presented in layman’s terms, and help participants to understand the key practical chemical indices of extra virgin olive oil. Level 1 will be held on the Saturday, followed by Level 2 on the Sunday. For more information contact Pauline North on admin@oliveswa.com.au or phone WAOC on (08) 9381 7162.

02/03/2012: India’s domestic olive oil industry growing by 50%
The Indian domestic olive oil segment is growing by about 50% per annum and the growth rate is expected to increase further. The main reasons for its growth are health awareness and acceptance of olive oil as a cooking medium among people. India’s olive oil space, which was estimated at 2,800 tonnes in 2010, grew to 4,000 tonnes in 2011 and in 2012 is pegged to touch 6,000 tonnes — valued at roughly Rs 350 crore. This includes both massage and edible olive oil segments. So if you’re thinking about exporting … Ed

02/03/2012: Antioxidant measures require ‘urgent’ standardisation, say researchers
Single measurements for total antioxidant values in foods and beverages do not provide an effective means of comparison, whilst differences in measuring protocols require standardisation, say researchers.

02/03/2012: Olives NZ Conference 2012 – last chance to register
You've got less than a week left to lock in your place at the Olives New Zealand Conference 2012 – Let's Get it On! – on Saturday, 24 March. The venue is the Five Star Sudima Airport Hotel, Auckland with an Olives to Oil processor course on the following day, Sunday, 25 March. Late registrations for both the conference and processing course close on Thursday, March 8, so don't waste time! Registration forms available http://www.olivesnz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2012-Olives-to-Oil-Programme-and-Registration1.pdf or email executive officer Gayle Sheridan at: admin@olivesnz.org.nz.

02/03/2012: More food fraud expected as prices rise
Counterfeiting is a major problem in the global food and drink industry with the level of fraud estimated at around $50bn a year, an audience at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting heard recently.

02/03/2012: South Australian Field Day
Site bookings are now open for the Olives South Australia industry field day, being held on Thursday, 22 March 2012 at the Penfield Gardens premises of the Bovalina Olive Oil Group. The program will run from 9am-4pm, featuring specialist guest speakers on various topics, along with harvesting and in-grove equipment and product demonstrations and displays. The event is open to all olive growers, producers and interested parties and entry is free. Exhibitor bookings close on 9 March and spaces are limited - enquiries and registrations to George Atsalis on 08 8351 8611 or info@eclipseenterprises.com.au.

02/03/2012: Food fraud – a greater public health risk than traditional safety threats?
Criminality, the global supply chain and the unpredictable nature of food adulteration for financial gain mean it can pose a greater public health risk than traditional safety threats such as pathogen contamination, according to new research. More worrying because …

02/03/2012: EU conference aims to challenge food crime ‘phenomenon’
Food control authorities, police forces and regulatory bodies have gathered in Brussels this week, in the hope of boosting their efforts against food crime in the European Union (EU). The EC Conference on Combatting Food Crime comes after last year’s Europol-led operation, which saw tonnes of illegal foods seized.

02/03/2012: NAFDAC uncovers fake anointing oil
The Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered an alleged maker of fake Goya Olive oil. The discovery of the shop in Oja-tutu in the the Kwara State capital followed a two-day enforcement by the agency. The agency said its regulatory officers met the suspects illegally removing and relabelling different brands as well as unbranded vegetable oil products with fake Goya Olive oil labels.

02/03/2012: Barjol says recent fraud cases show countries are ‘cracking down’
Olive oil has been getting a lot of bad press lately. Thanks to the release of Tom Mueller’s book, Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil, recent allegations of fraud in Italy and Spain, and of substandard oil in Australia, its quality has been called into question globally. Olive Oil Times recently asked the International Olive Council what it is doing to prevent fraud and protect olive oil’s image.

02/03/2012: FDA: Proposed rule on changes to Nutrition Facts panel due by end of 2012
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aiming to publish a proposed rule to reform the Nutrition Facts panel and related rules by the end of this year, somewhat later than originally expected. This ruling, which had been expected in 2011, will no doubt affect labels on imported products, so it’s an important planning consideration for anyone involved in exporting to the US - Ed.

02/03/2012: Ripe olives boost California economy almost $500 million yearly
California’s ripe olive growers have a significant impact on the state’s economy, yielding nearly $493.6 million in annual economic activity – or nearly $1.4 million each day of the year – as a result of grower spending, according to a newly released report commissioned by the California Olive Committee (COC) and conducted by Tootelian & Associates.

17/02/2012: South Australia hosts Olive Field Day
Olives South Australia, the Australian Olive Association (AOA) and Bovalina Olive Oil Group are hosting an Olive Field Day at Penfield Gardens on Thursday, 22 March 2012, from 9am-4pm. Specialist interstate and local guest speakers will present on topics including olive growing and harvesting, disease treatments, oil handling, table olive standards, Codes of Practice, industry trends and future marketing directions. The day will also include harvesting and in-grove equipment/product demonstrations and displays. The event is open to all olive growers, producers and interested parties and entry is free, with refreshments available for purchase on site. For more information contact Anthony Papalia on 08 8284 7559/0419 804 068 or mail@bovalinagroup.com. Exhibitor enquiries to George Atsalis on 08 8351 8611 or info@eclipseenterprises.com.au.

17/02/2012: Extraordinary General Meeting
Olives New Zealand have called an Extraordinary General Meeting for Saturday, 24 March at the Sudima Airport Hotel, Auckland. The business is to adopt the proposed new Constitution. The meeting will start at 9am sharp. View the new Constitution http://www.olivesnz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Constitution-approved-by-Executive-December-2011.pdf.

17/02/2012: EU offers olive oil storage aid amid tumbling prices
The European Commission is set to pay up to €20 million ($26.5m) to subsidise the temporary storage of 100,000 tons of extra virgin and virgin olive oil. It’s hoped that taking the oil off the market for up to four months will bolster below-cost farm-gate prices in Spain, the world’s biggest producer and the EU’s olive oil price leader.

17/02/2012: Olivegrower & Processor news
To ensure we can better serve our valued readers and suppliers, Olivegrower & Processor will now be published as February/March, April/May, June/July, August/September, October/November and December/January. Subscribers will still receive 6 issues per annum but in order to effect this change, this will mean the next issue will be a March/April/May issue, for release in late April. Should you have any inquiries, please email subs@olivegrower.com.au. We look forward to continuing to bring you practical and technical solution-based information to assist your business.

17/02/2012: ... and Olive Processing Workshop
In conjunction with the field day, the Australian Olive Association is holding a two-day Olive Oil Processing Workshop at the same location on 20-21 March, prior to the field day. Olive oil production expert Pablo Canamasas will run the hands-on workshop and sharing his skills on production techniques and oil quality. For more information contact the AOA on 08 8573 6545 or go to www.australianolives.com.au.

17/02/2012: Petrol, liquor, milk, olive oil … now fruit & veggies targeted by the retail duopoly
THE fresh produce industry must unite to meet the threat posed by the major supermarket chains’ discounting of fruit and vegetables, says Adelaide Produce Market chairman David Schirripa. “If the promotion of fruit and veg purchased from independent fruit and vegetable retailers and independent supermarkets is not made a priority, this market and the ones like it around Australia will go into a slow decline.”

17/02/2012: Olives WA sensory training workshops
Places are now open for the Olives WA’s EVOO sensory training workshops on 24-25 March. Run by Richard Gawel, the workshops will cover the fundamentals of EVOO, and the effects of olive growing and processing methods on character and style. The courses will be presented in layman’s terms, and help participants to understand the key practical chemical indices of extra virgin olive oil - what they mean in terms of style, quality, shelf life and use. Level 1 - Saturday, 24 March; Level 2 - Sunday, 25 March 2012, with both open to members and other interested participants. For more information contact Pauline North on admin@oliveswa.com.au or phone WAOC on (08) 9381 7162.

17/02/2012: Special offer for Friday Olive Extract subscribers
Order the ebook Evaluating Australian Table Olives for only $4.99 inc GST (normal retail $19.95). Published by Olive Skills & Olive Care Australia, this is a great guide for table olive producers and those looking to transition from oil to olive production. Limited stocks - no rainchecks. Phone (08) 8369 9555 to order. Offer available strictly until 24 February only.

17/02/2012: EOI called for bio-gas workshop
A pilot workshop in the fundamentals of bio-gas production and use is being conducted by Skills Victoria, through the National Centre for Sustainability at Sunraysia Institute of TAFE. Bio-gas production is being taken up by industry to optimise the potential of valuable organic bi-products and to minimise the impact of environmental concerns, and the olive industry is cited as a key industry for its use. This pilot workshop is part of a Skills Victoria project aimed at developing bio-gas knowledge and skills for industry and will provide a basic understanding of the principles and practices of bio-gas production. Locations and dates are dependent on numbers and location(s) of interested parties. Expressions of Interest to Darryl Pearl - email: dpearl@sunitafe.edu.au or ph: 03 5022 3704.

17/02/2012: Co-operative run by volunteers preserves a Provençal tradition
Ollioules, a medieval town with about 13,000 inhabitants is situated in the heart of the beautiful Haute Provence Cote d’Azur region of France. The name Ollioules comes from the Roman word Oliolis which means olives. Like many other groves in the South of France, the ancient olive trees in Ollioules suffered badly during the glacial frosts of 1956. The owners responded by cutting away the damaged wood. It worked: the stumps grew again and many trees were saved. Before this traumatic winter, there were 12 olive mills in this historic town. Today, in Ollioules, there is a cooperative mill dedicated to olive growers and producers of the region.

17/02/2012: Certification - future direction
The Executive of Olives New Zealand (ONZ) has conducted a comprehensive review of its Certification program, with the outcome recommendating that Olives New Zealand moves to using the Australian Department of Primary Industries for future certification from and including 2012. The cost to the grower would be maintained at the current cost and the system would continue to be administered by ONZ’s Executive Officer. Members are invited to comment on the proposal. The full paper is available on the ONZ website http://www.olivesnz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Certification-Future-Direction.pdf. All feedback or questions are welcome: please address these to the Executive Officer, admin@olivesnz.org.nz by the end of February.

17/02/2012: River Estate Olives ‘runs-up’ artisan award
The fourth annual Cuisine Artisan Awards attracted a huge number of entries from small artisan food producers from around the country, with the judging panel of top food experts selecting 12 winning products. Runner-Up was awarded to artisan Barry Wade from River Estate Olive Oil for his traditionally preserved table olives, grown and processed on his family farm in Whitford. The panel were particularly interested In Barry's home-grown table olives, as many olives in New Zealand delis and supermarkets are imported. Cuisine editor Sarah Nicholson praised Barry’s products as a testament to the dedication of the country’s artisan producers, who are making an invaluable contribution to the New Zealand food scene. Read more about River Estate’s win in the Mar-May edition of Olivegrower & Processor.

17/02/2012: Nineteen arrested over alleged olive oil fraud
Spanish police this week arrested 19 people allegedly linked to a complex network engaged in multi-million euro olive oil fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. According to Diaro Jaén, the police – who swooped on Wednesday after a year-long probe by a Madrid-based economic crime unit – believe that companies involved in the ‘ring’ had been selling low quality olive oil as extra virgin.

17/02/2012: Spanish police say palm, avocado, sunflower was passed off as olive oil
Details of an alleged international olive oil scam – in which palm, avocado, sunflower and other cheaper oils were passed off as olive oil – were released today by Spanish police. They said the oils were blended in an industrial biodiesel plant and adulterated in a way to hide markers that would have revealed their true nature. The oils were not toxic, however, and posed no health risk, according to a statement by the Guardia Civil.

17/02/2012: Tunisian government buys surplus olive oil
Tunisia's Ministry of Agriculture has decided to buy large quantities of olive oil from producers, at the current consumer price that has been fixed at 3.6 dinars per litre. The decision was adopted to help the sector (one of the driving forces of the national agricultural sector) after prices on the international market were lowered. Perhaps the Aust & NZ governments could do the same, and persuade parliamentary catering services to use olive oil exclusively – Ed.

17/02/2012: Olive glut puts skids under oil producers at risk
A second bumper harvest could see Spanish farmers driven from the land they have worked for generations, says a report in UK’s The Independent. Already faced with a glut of olives equivalent to 95 million litres of olive oil, this exceptionally dry winter means the Andalucian industry is braced for its second bumper crop in a row, which could see 285 million litres flood an already saturated market. Factor in a 70% increase in production costs, the stagnation of farm prices in the past 15 years and a Spanish economy on the rocks, and the result is clear: after years of overproduction, large sectors of the olive oil industry are going to the wall.

17/02/2012: Firms lament country of origin label burden
Country of origin labelling (COOL) looks set to cause manufacturers serious headaches and extra cost burdens when the new rules start coming into force in 2014. While the initial regulations relate primarily to meat products, plans will see COOL extended to a much wider range of products in the near future, and will also affect nutrition labelling, so it’s an issue we should all be abreast of – Ed.

17/02/2012: Olive oil cited as India’s new ‘liquid gold’
Almost sacred in Mediterranean countries like France, Spain, Greece, and Italy, olive oil is not native to India. Used as a baby massage oil until a few years ago, it has slowly acquired a reputation as the heart-healthy oil, making its way into Indian kitchens with rising imports, varieties and brand availability. New export destination anyone?-Ed

17/02/2012: ORA oil part of festival’s ‘match made in heaven’
Mark Heard of ORA olive oil teamed with Errol Wilkinson and Kylie Cornelius of Vavasour Wine to win the wine and food match competition at the recent Marlborough Wine and Food Festival with a Vavasour pinot noir and smoked venison pizza combination. The 29th edition of the event saw a crowd of around 8000 introduced to some of New Zealand’s best food and wine – including, of course, the country’s fabulous extra virgin olive oils. Congratulations to the ORA team for the accolade, and let’s hope it helps boost sales for them too!

17/02/2012: Geelong Food & Wine Show
The inaugural Geelong Food & Wine Show will take place on 10-11 March 2012 at the Deakin Waterfront Campus. The bay will transform into a buzzing marketplace of chefs, local providores and winemakers, with over 80 exhibitors featuring local wines and regional produce. A major drawcard will be MasterClass sessions by guest chefs including George Calombaris, Ben O'Donoghue and Adriano Zumbo. Stall bookings are now open - more information here. And we’ve organised a discount rate for FOE subscribers, with 20% off the regular cost for exhibitor stands – just book before 24 February and mention you saw this on FOE. This is a great opportunity for local producers to showcase their oils and olive products at a major event, so why not band together with fellow producers and share an olive-themed stand.

03/02/2012: Food & Hotel Asia
Food & Hotel Asia is another international tradeshow opportunity for Australian producers, with previous exhibitors positive about the merits of attending the show. The 2012 event will be held in Singapore from 17–20 April 2012 and encompasses five specialised trade shows, along with an informative conference program. The expo will feature an international mix of food and drinks, from raw ingredients to ready-to-eat products, aimed at meeting the sourcing needs of trade professionals across the food and beverage industry.

03/02/2012: ‘Caring for Country’ funding available
The Australian Government is investing more than $2 billion over five years to achieve a real and measurable difference to Australia's environment. Caring for our Country provides funding for a broad range of sustainable land management and environmental protection work. Caring for our Country is available to legal entities including organisations and community groups for work that will contribute to achieving one or more of the Caring for our Country targets. Applications close 9 February 2012.

03/02/2012: New trade event for artisan products
A new trade event for local, regional and international fine quality food and drink, Speciality Food & Drink Fair will showcase artisan food and drink directly to buyers. Organisers say the event will attract thousands of key decision makers and buyers from the best independent retailers, importers, distributors, wholesalers and hospitality outlets looking to source quality food and drink products. The event will run from 27-28 August 2012 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre and is strictly trade only.

03/02/2012: Diploma of Agriculture in Organics
A Diploma of Agriculture in Organics is being offered by Advance TAFE. The Diploma can be undertaken as a part-time course at the Farmtec campus, Sale, eastern Victoria, or off-campus via flexible delivery. The teacher is Alan Broughton and there are four intakes per year. For more information contact Advance TAFE on ph: (03) 5142 2541.

03/02/2012: New contact for Dr Vera Sergeeva
Pest and diseases specialist Dr Vera Sergeeva is well-known in our industry, both for her research and regular communications with growers across Australia regarding samples and identification queries. She’s got a new email address, so anyone wanting to contact Dr Vera should now do so at: sergeeva@tpg.com.au.

03/02/2012: Olive oil processing course
Expressions of interest are being called for an olive oil processing course being run by the AOA. An initial course held in March 2010 was enthusiastically attended by a full quota of growers, so further courses are being planned for this year. The Olive Centre’s Amanda Bailey said courses will be run in multiple locations according to the demand, so interested growers need to register as soon as possible in order to finalise the course schedule. The comprehensive course is ideal for those looking to refine their skills in the olive oil production process. To register, email amanda@theolivecentre.com.au.

03/02/2012: Australian Year of the Farmer photo comp
Fairfax Media and Elders have launched the official Australian Year of the Farmer (AYOF) photo competition, with camera equipment worth $10,000 on offer for the winning photo. Monthly winners will be awarded across six categories in each state and territory, along with an overall monthly winner, with a total 442 prizes valued at over $30,000 awarded. The competition aims to inspire farmers to capture the magic they encounter in their daily lives, whether at work or at play, in the categories of: Farming people at work and play, Farm animals, The things we grow and process, Farming landscapes, Fun and funky in the country, and Country-city links. The competition runs until 30 September 2012 and images can be uploaded via the official AYOF website.

03/02/2012: Life under the Food Safety Modernization Act: tracing, tracking and brand protection
The ability to track and trace ingredients is likely to be a major focus for food manufacturers as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is rolled out – but the most important consideration for companies is brand reputation, according to a FSMA specialist at ADT Security Services.

03/02/2012: Jan-Feb Olivegrower on it’s way
It’s not long now until the next edition of Olivegrower & Processor hits letterboxes across Australia and New Zealand. Another jam-packed edition, the January-February magazine has all the latest industry news and lots of really useful, practical information. And the message we’re getting is that increasingly, that’s just what our industry needs right now – more sharing of knowledge and information. That’s the aim of the Olivegrower/Friday Olive Extracts team, so if you’ve got any handy hints, good advice or suggestions to share – or any questions you’d like answered – drop editor Gerri Nelligan a line at wordsync@bigpond.com.

03/02/2012: Frying with ‘healthy’ oil not linked to heart disease, research finds
Consumption of food fried in olive or sunflower oil is not linked to heart disease or premature death, according to new research published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

03/02/2012: Retailer consultation urged for effective nutrition labelling research
Retailers need to work with manufacturers and regulators to track the impact of systems such as traffic light labelling on consumer purchasing behaviour of food and drink products, stresses a Brussels-based consumer information group as it releases a new report.

03/02/2012: Simple nutrition information could be ‘powerful marketing tool’, says Nielsen
Food marketers have an opportunity to help consumers seeking healthy foods by providing easy-to-understand nutrition information on-pack, according to a new report from Nielsen.

03/02/2012: Traffic light-style labeling could encourage healthier choices: study
Color-coded labeling and rearranging products in-store could lead consumers to make healthier choices, according to a new study from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers. The study saw red, yellow and green labels attached to foods and resulted in a dramatic drop in sales for those marked with red labels, along with an increase in green-labelled items.

03/02/2012: Plant ‘nourishing’ gene could help boost global crop yields
The discovery of a 'nourishing gene' that controls how nutrients are distributed in plants and crops could offer hope for improved crop yield and increased food production, say researchers. The gene is involved in the movement of nutrients from plant to seed, so could we perhaps see an even more nutritious olive into the future – Ed?

03/02/2012: Plant flavonoid shows potential to block cancer pathways
The flavonoid luteolin could inhibit signalling pathways important to the growth of colon cancer cells, according to new research. Luteolin is one of the most common flavones in fruit and vegetables, and is found in both olives and olive leaves.

03/02/2012: Mafia grip on Italian food sector putting industry at risk, report
Mafia involvement in the Italian food industry is rife, with revenue from the agriculture and food sector generating 5.6% of the entire organised crime business in the country, finds a new parliamentary report. Not surprisingly, olive oil is one of the food items specifically mentioned in the report – Ed.

03/02/2012: Olives NZ Conference 2012 – time’s running out to register
Places are filling fast, so now’s the time to lock in your place at the Olives New Zealand Conference 2012 – Let’s Get it On! The venue is the Five Star Sudima Airport Hotel, Auckland on Saturday, 24 March, with an Olives to Oil processor course the following day. Olives NZ EO Gayle Sheridan reports that the Marketing and Blending workshops are proving incredibly popular, with stream one booked out and stream two half full. The Olives to Oil processor course is also heavily booked. It is first come first served, so register NOW to avoid disappointment. Accommodation bookings will be forwarded to the Sudima Hotel at COB today, so confirm your arrangements now to be part of this important industry event. Registration forms available at www.olivesnz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Conference-Programme-20122.pdf

20/01/2012: Australians star in 2011’s most memorable quotes
In the world of olive oil there was no shortage of strong opinions and words to remember in 2011. Online news site the Olive Oil Times narrowed them down to the best, however, publishing a list of the 20 most memorable quotes from 2011 – including three from Australian olive industry members Amanda Bailey, Leandro Ravetti and Paul Miller.

20/01/2012: Entries open for LA International EVOO Competition
Entries are now open for the 13th Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil competition. Oils are judged by both regionality and fruitiness intensity, with additional categories for flavoured oils. Medals are awarded and winners also benefit from the display and sales of gold-medal winning oils at the annual LA County Fair. The 2012 competition introduces separate competitions for northern and southern hemisphere oils, ensuring all international EVOOs are judged at their freshest and best quality. Entry deadline for the southern hemisphere competition is July 6. More information http://www.fairplex.com/wos/olive_oil_competition/

20/01/2012: What’s the weather like at your place?
Random weather conditions continue to be experienced across Australia, from heat waves to heavy rains, floods and even cyclones. How has your grove fared? Have you lost blossoms or young fruit to strong winds? Is your grove under water, or parched from days of scorching heat? Send Olivegrower & Processor editor Gerri Nelligan an email with details of what’s been happening in your area, and she’ll compile a snapshot of how things are looking across the country. And New Zealand growers, we’d love reports from you too. Send your details to wordsync@bigpond.com

20/01/2012: Facebook app enables small business e-stores
A Facebook shopping app has been launched in Australia, aiming to help small businesses reverse recent downward trends in consumer spending. Developed by Brisbane-based start-up aradium, the app enables small businesses to run an online e-commerce store on Facebook, the world’s largest social networking website. More information www.facebook.com/aradium and read more in the coming edition of Olivegrower & Processor.

20/01/2012: Dietary Guidelines leave EVOO out in the cold
The internationally-recognised health benefits of extra virgin olive oil do not rate in the draft Australian Dietary Guidelines released on 13 December by the National Health and Medical Research Council. Other ingredients in the Mediterranean Diet are recommended, as is the replacement of some saturated fat by vegetable oils high in monounsaturated fats, however EVOO doesn’t rate a mention. The Guidelines are out for public consultation until 29 February 2012.

20/01/2012: Table olives discussion paper – last days to comment
Time is running out to comment on the National Table Olives Committee’s discussion paper. Feedback in invited from all olive industry participants, with input providing the basis for the development of draft Australian Standards for Table Olives. Download the paper at http://www.olivessouthaustralia.com.au/index.php/home/1-general-info/35-discussion-paper-on-table-olives. Forward comments before the end of January to Peter McFarlane, by post to 33 Phillips St, Somerton Park SA 5044; by fax on 08 8376 7048 or via email to peter@mc.com.au

20/01/2012: Workshop guides transition from oil to olives
A workshop being held in Melbourne will help producers through the practicalities of changing from oil to table olive production. Switching from Olive Oil to Table Olive Production is a one-day course covering all aspects of running a successful table olive business, presented by Simon Field of Olive Business. In 2011 Field’s company, Salsi Olive Grove, switched its production from olive oil to table olives and is currently successfully selling olives into the Melbourne gourmet wholesale market. The workshop will be held on Saturday, 25 February at the Vibe Hotel, Carlton.

20/01/2012: New sensory analysis course to highlight olive oils from La Rioja
Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and the Environment has teamed up with the organization Ibercaja y Zeytum Servicios Oleotécnicos to create an olive oil educational program aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of olive oil. The first course runs from January to May at the Centro Cultural de Ibercaja, and consists of five theoretical and practical sessions. Each session allows students to discover the different benefits, aromas and flavors of the main varieties of olive oil through a process of comprehensive sensory analysis.

20/01/2012: Price for Italian extra virgin olive oil drops to ’09 levels
A 20% hike in olive oil imports by Brazil, 11% by the EU, 7% by the USA and 5% by Canada offset falls in Japan (-12%) and Australia (-10%), according to the International Olive Council’s figures for the 2010/11 crop year. Released in the IOC’s December newsletter, the figures show that the year from October 2010 to September 2011 was also notable for significant drops in reported producer prices. By December 2011 the producer price for extra virgin olive oil in Italy had fallen to €2.43/kg, down 18% on December 2010 and 40% from last summer’s peak.

20/01/2012: EU project bids to boost sustainability in packaging and processing SMEs
A free online course that aims to increase environmental awareness in the food and drink sectors could help processing and packaging SMEs save money and boost their green credentials, said the body championing the initiative.

20/01/2012: Another extra virgin olive oil for kids
Another extra virgin olive oil blended to woo young taste buds is being marketed by a Spanish producer. Designed to be subtle in flavor but fruity and slightly sweet, the new product from Almería-based Castillo de Tabernas is 60% Picual, 20% Hojiblanca and 20% Arbequina and has a maxmimum acidity of 0.1%. The company says the blends were those preferred in taste tests with more than 2000 children and are designed to introduce them to EVOO’s health benefits from an early age. Perhaps we should be taking ‘Fresher is Better’ into Australian and New Zealand kindergartens – Ed.

20/01/2012: Be a part of international olive oil guide
Only three Australian and four New Zealand producers have taken advantage of the listings available in the Olive Oil Times’ international online Olive Oil Guide. The guide provides each olive oil brand with its own page on the Olive Oil Times website, complete with producer information, production methods, tasting notes, suggested food pairings, accolades, a link to the producer’s website and retail outlets where consumers can buy products. Producers are allowed one free brand submission, with a small fee charged for each additional brand submission. Learn more http://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-business/olive-oil-guide-faq/17815

20/01/2012: Olive oil tour stops at Britain’s ‘Taste of London’
For the second year in a row, Britain’s annual Taste of London gastronomical event will feature the European Olive Oil Program. The campaign organizers hope its presence at the festival will help spawn increased interest in the so-called ‘liquid gold’. Olive oil, particularly that of Spanish origin, has grown increasingly popular among the Brits in recent years, with sales increasing by 17% since 2009. More than 50,000 are expected to attend the month-long Taste of London event, providing country-wide promotion for European EVOO. Any olive oil producers taking part in the Australia Day promotional events in the UK this year – and if not, why aren’t we? – Ed.

20/01/2012: FDA: We’ll publish FSMA foreign supplier verification rules ‘soon’
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has missed its January 4 deadline for publishing details of how it will regulate imported food under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), but says it will update the industry “soon”. The rules relate to the proposed Foreign Supplier Verification Program, which will see importers required to provide verification of certification and compliance with FDA regulations.

20/01/2012: Olives NZ Conference 2012 - have you registered yet?
It’s getting closer, so now’s the time to lock in your place at the Olives New Zealand Conference 2012 – Let’s Get it On! The event will be held at the Five Star Sudima Airport Hotel, Auckland on Saturday, 24 March, with an ’Olives to Oil’ Processor Course the following day. Detailed conference program information and registration forms http://www.olivesnz.org.nz/uncategorized/conference-2012-lets-get-it-on-2/. Registrations close on 31 January 2012.

06/01/2012: Wanted – Kalamata olives
Viva Olives is looking to buy new 2012 season ripe Kalamata fruit (off the tree, not processed), with good prices being offered. If you have some to sell, contact Darren McKenzie on mob: 0407 846 107; ph: 08 8584 5811 or email: darren@vivaolives.com.au.

06/01/2012: AOA CEO calls for support from banks
The ongoing produce price wars between Coles and Woolworths have had wide-ranging effects on the country’s food producers, including causing banks to slash farm valuations. So writes AOA CEO Lisa Rowntree in an opinion piece for online news site weeklytimesnow.

06/01/2012: Table olives discussion paper – last weeks to comment
The National Table Olives Committee’s discussion paper is still available for comment and feedback, with input providing the basis for the development of draft Australian Standards for Table Olives. All olive industry participants are invited to comment on the issues raised in the paper, which can be downloaded here. Forward comments before the end of January to Peter McFarlane, by post to 33 Phillips St, Somerton Park SA 5044; by fax on 08 8376 7048 or via email to peter@mc.com.au.

06/01/2012: 2012 Olive Industry Directory
Just a few more weeks and the 2012 edition of the annual Australian & New Zealand Olive Industry Directory will arrive in letterboxes across the globe (yes, it goes far further afield than just our shores). The industry’s most comprehensive guide to personnel, products and services, the OID, as it’s known, is a ‘must have’ for anyone involved in olive growing, processing or sales.

06/01/2012: Woolworths improves olive oil
Supermarket giant Woolworths will adopt the Australian Standard for premium olive oil for its own brand lines, reports weeklytimesnow. However it will not require the voluntary standard be met by other brands it stocks. The Weekly Times revealed last year that several imported premium or ‘extra virgin’ olive oils were not meeting the Australian standard for extra virgin, including Woolworths' imported brand.

06/01/2012: Random testing
The AOA recently commissioned its 2nd round of 30 random tests under the AS5264-2011. A summary of the testing results will be made available by the AOA in January/February 2012. These results will also be made available to the ACCC.

06/01/2012: What’s the weather like at your place?
The past few weeks have seen the whole gamut of weather conditions experienced across Australia, from heat waves to heavy rains, floods and even cyclones. No doubt the effects are being felt in olive groves, and we’d love to know how yours has fared. Have you lost blossoms or young fruit to strong winds? Is your grove under water? Or parched from days of scorching heat? Send Olivegrower & Processor editor Gerri Nelligan an email with details of what’s been happening in your area, and she’ll compile a snapshot of how things are looking across the country. And New Zealand growers, we’d love reports from you too. Send your details to wordsync@bigpond.com.

06/01/2012: Olive oil extract space gains another player
Spanish firm Probeltebio has joined a growing list of players in the olive oil extract space that has been hot ever since olive extract polyphenols won a rare botanical antioxidant health claim from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

06/01/2012: Healthy oil components may fight pancreatitis
Fatty acids and phytochemicals found in fish oil and olive oil have been shown to block cellular mechanisms involved in the development of acute pancreatitis, say researchers. Read more here, and also in the coming January-February edition of Olivegrower & Processor’s regularHealth Round-up.

06/01/2012: X-ray irradiation of asparagus promises shelf life and safety boosts
Use of low dose x-ray irradiation on vacuum packed asparagus can increase both shelf life and microbiological safety of the product, according to new US research. Suitable for table olives, perhaps – Ed?

06/01/2012: No reason for shelf-life to boldly go where no food processor has gone before
There is no interest in extending the shelf-life of products for up to five years from the food industry or the consumer, says a NASA scientist and an industry insider.

06/01/2012: Trans fats and nutrient intake linked to Alzheimer’s brain shrinkage
Consumption of ‘junk food diets’ containing high levels of trans fats may lead to brain shrinkage associated with Alzheimer’s, whilst consumption of foods high in vitamins may offer protection, says new research. Still more reason for consumers – and food manufacturers - to switch to olive oil – Ed.

06/01/2012: FoodNavigator-USA’s top 5 predictions augur well for EVOO
Online food and beverage industry news site FoodNavigator-USA has listed its predictions for the top five factors likely to have the greatest impact over the next year, and the news looks good for olive oil. The 2012 list includes functional foods for seniors, nutrition for children and ‘natural’ foods – all of which include our own ‘wonder food’ EVOO.

06/01/2012: … likewise New Nutrition Business’ Top 10 nutrition trends
‘Naturality’, energy and muscle, bone and joint health will be among the top 10 food, nutrition and health trends for 2012, according to a report just published by New Nutrition Business. Predicted as the largest trend, ‘naturality’ refers to products offering natural and intrinsic health benefits, or ‘free from’ artificial additives – olive oil!

06/01/2012: Happy New Year!

06/01/2012: Olives NZ Conference 2012 - have you registered yet?
It’s getting closer, so now’s the time to lock in your place at the Olives New Zealand Conference 2012 – Let’s Get it On! The event will be held at the Five Star Sudima Airport Hotel, Auckland on Saturday, 24 March, with an ’Olives to Oil’ Processor Course the following day. Detailed conference program information and registration forms here. Registrations close on 31 January 2012.

23/12/2011: VN Dalmia offers an olive oil reality check
While debate swirls around how to ensure the quality of extra virgin olive oil in the United States, Europe and elsewhere, consumers in India are getting an entirely different message. In a new campaign rolled out by the country’s largest olive oil marketer, it’s the lowest edible grade - one that can’t even legally be called ‘olive oil’ in most places - that Indians should turn to for a healthier diet. Introducing the only major campaign in the world to promote olive pomace oil.

23/12/2011: Organic education
Advance TAFE in Victoria are offering a Diploma of Agriculture Specialising in Organics. The Diploma is offered part-time at the Farmtec campus, Sale, Eastern Victoria, or off-campus via flexible delivery. There are four intakes per year and the teacher is Alan Broughton. For more information contact Advance TAFE on 03 5142 2541 or view details at the Advance TAFE website.

23/12/2011: Dock them
Monitoring imports of olive oil by Customs to ensure they comply with trade standards (whichever is enacted) makes good sense. The testing can be undertaken on every batch by an Australian independent internationally accredited laboratory – and paid for by the importer as part of the clearance process – according to online industry comment on olivebusiness.com.

23/12/2011: Manual on managing climate change and soil carbon
The OFA has produced a manual on managing climate change in organic systems. It outlines the proven practices for increasing soil carbon, as well as management methods for improving water and energy use efficiency on farms to increase adaptability, reliability, crop yields and reduce expenses. The online version of the book, Improving the Capacity of Organic Producers to Manage Climate Change, is available from the OFA website.

23/12/2011: Oil China 2012
Registrations are now open for the 2012 8th China International Exhibition of Olive Oil & Edible Oil (Oil China 2012), being held in Beijing from 23-25 April 2012. Oil China 2011 attracted 100 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions, showcasing more than 200 brands of medium-to-high-end edible oils (including olive oil) to 7000 trade visitors from 30 countries. The China International Olive Oil Competition is also held during the exhibition. Olive oil consumption continues to grow dramatically in China, presenting positive export marketing opportunities for Australian and New Zealand producers. More information email info@eoliveoil.com

23/12/2011: Olives NZ Conference 2012 - Let's Get it On!
Olives New Zealand has recently announced details of its Conference 2012 – Let’s Get it On! The event will be held at the Five Star Sudima Airport Hotel, Auckland on Saturday, 24 March, with an ’Olives to Oil’ Processor Course the following day. Detailed conference program information and registration forms at: http://www.olivesnz.org.nz/uncategorized/conference-2012-lets-get-it-on-2/ Registrations close on 31 January 2012.

23/12/2011: Table olives discussion paper
The National Table Olives Committee’s discussion paper is available for comment and feedback, with input providing the basis for the development of draft Australian Standards for Table Olives during 2012. All olive industry participants are invited to make comment on the issues raised in this discussion paper, which can be downloaded at http://www.olivessouthaustralia.com.au/index.php/home/1-general-info/35-discussion-paper-on-table-olives or from the AOA website. Please forward comments before the end of January 2012 to Peter McFarlane, by post to 33 Phillips St, SOMERTON PARK SA 5044; by fax on 08 8376 7048 or via email to peter@mc.com.au.

23/12/2011: Clinical trial design in the new EU health claims regime
How to demonstrate health benefits among healthy human beings? That is the challenge new European Union health claim laws have set contract research organisations (CROs) and others involved in trial design. A tough challenge yes, but not an insurmountable one, say two of Europe’s leading experts in the area.

23/12/2011: Organic: “If it’s not certified, take it back”
Some consumers remain unaware of the importance to look for a trusted organic logo on organic products to guarantee they are getting what they are paying for, warns Dr Andrew Monk, director of the Biological Farmers of Australia. He warns that brands which choose to use an ‘organic’ claim without respecting recognised Australian standards, could face ACCC prosecution.

23/12/2011: OliveMark updated
The ONZ OliveMark has been reviewed and some important changes are being made. The red sticker has been redesigned so that Olives New Zealand features more clearly. ONZ was considered not previously recognisable, and the change reinforces that it is a standard set by the national body. Sticker sales funds surplus to costs will also now go into a separate fund which, when sufficient, will be used for marketing – another great reason for growers and producers to support and utilize the OliveMark. In the meantime, ONZ members are invited to share their ideas on promoting the OliveMark by directing them to David Walshaw at david@kapitiolives.com.

23/12/2011: Olive grove census
Olives New Zealand is undertaking a survey of all growers in order to gain a better understanding of the size and nature of the industry. This in turn will provide information on actions needed in providing leadership, education, resources and industry advocacy for members. It will also allow ONZ to achieve greater credibility with government and other organisations in representing the interests of growers and other industry participants. Information on individual businesses will not be revealed; summary data will be produced by the executive officer. The survey form will be e-mailed out this week: please print, update and complete details, and return via post or scan and e-mail. Full co-operation in the survey process will make the project a success, so let’s hope all growers get behind it.

23/12/2011: Fats and oils gaining a more positive reputation, says market researcher
Consumer perception of fats is undergoing a transformation, opening myriad opportunities for new product development, according to a new trend report from the Center for Culinary Development (CCD) and market research organization Packaged Facts.

23/12/2011: Health tops Leatherhead 2012 food trends
Renewed interest in health and wellness leads the top 10 trends set to dominate the UK food and drink sector in 2012, according to Leatherhead Food Research.

23/12/2011: Lobbyists, start your engines: Can a new health claims formula be won in the European Parliament?
Five years ago the European Union nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) became law. Around the bloc, hopeful EU healthy foods and supplements stakeholders submitted more than 44,000 health claim applications.

23/12/2011: Oxygen-sensitive sensor can challenge MAP - inventor
An oxygen-sensitive colour change sensor used to determine the shelf-life of packaged food could challenge industry food quality and safety practices, says its UK-based inventor. Sounds like a great progression in food safety for the table olive and olive product producers – Ed.

23/12/2011: Researchers make biodegradable plastic bottles from olive skins
Soon you may be able to buy olive oil in bioplastic bottles made from a compound found in olive skins, thanks to the work of a Spanish researcher. Jesús Zorrilla has found a way to extract PHAs (poly-hydroxy-alcanoates) from the residues of olive skins, which in turn can be used to make plastic containers that are non-toxic and 100 percent biodegradable.

23/12/2011: Heavyweight comments inform EFSA antioxidant-heart health claim guidance
Input from Nestlé, Kellogg, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, DSM, Unilever, Cargill, Ocean Spray, Kraft, Danone, Health Canada, the University of Milan and 45 other parties has informed fresh EFSA guidance on antioxidant and cardiovascular health claims.

23/12/2011: International Olive Council seeks greater ‘transparency’
The need for more transparency in the olive oil market and for uniformity on olive oil tariff codes were among key issues discussed at the 99th session of the International Olive Council’s Council of Members, held at the IOC’s Madrid headquarters from November 21-25. IOC Executive Director Jean-Louis Barjol said that actions in response to these issues would include a new data base of historical prices and a joint project with the World Customs Organization on the harmonization of tariff codes. As it stands, the WCO classifications vary from the IOC ones and do not differentiate between virgin extra and virgin olive oil. Are we perhaps starting to see the global industry marching to the same drum – Ed?

14/10/2011: ONZ Conference 2012
Olives New Zealand is also planning to hold a pre-harvest conference in March 2012. Proposed content will include an oil blending workshop, table olives workshop, pre-harvest and processing considerations, and a final report by Marie Wong and Allan Woolf on the Maturity Research Project. The workshops will provide a valuable opportunity to pick up handy tips just prior to harvest, when they will be of most use, so keep this upcoming event in mind when planning next year’s calendar. We’ll bring you updates in Friday Olive Extracts as event plans progress.

14/10/2011: OFA chair elected as President of IFOAM
The Chair of the Organic Federation of Australia, Andre Leu, has been elected as the President of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). IFOAM is the world umbrella organisation that currently unites 750 member organisations in 116 countries, and the only organisation that advocates for organic agriculture at the international level. Leu was elected at the General Assembly in Korea during the 17th IFOAM Organic World Congress, attended by representatives from 100 countries.

International Trends

Olive Oil News

14/10/2011: Olive Council deputy director urges producers to improve quality
Spain’s olive oil producers need to adapt production to reflect the reality of worldwide demand – or face further losses, warns International Olive Oil Council deputy director Ammir Assabah. “The situation is not easy, unfortunately not just for Spain but for many other countries too,” Assabah told reporters. “Many countries have stocks and find themselves in a difficult situation. The important thing is to create value-added, particularly to improve product quality, to gain market positioning and to make adjustments so that supply matches demand. These are measures countries can take in the light of the data released by the IOC.”

14/10/2011: But … heart benefits of phenolic compounds not physiologically relevant, says study
Research has called into question the role of plant polyphenols in cardiovascular health, by finding that their supposed anti-platelet activities are only relevant at high, and physiologically unattainable, concentrations. Writing in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, researchers from the UK reported that only high concentrations – more than 50mmol/litre – in blood had anti-platelet effects in vitro and that, because such concentrations are unlikely to be attained in circulation, “It is doubtful whether consumption of dietary phenolics in nutritionally attainable amounts plays a major role in the inhibition of platelet activation and aggregation in humans”.

14/10/2011: Frutarom USA to launch olive leaf extract for booming heart health market
The heart health market is set for a new entrant as Frutarom USA announces the launch of an olive leaf extract with reported blood pressure benefits. The ingredient is described as water-soluble for use in still or carbonated beverages, and is also stable in film-coated tablets, and is backed up by data in the scientific literature. Sales of US heart health ingredients (wholesale) topped $563m in 2008 and are predicted to exceed $1bn by 2012, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 20%.

14/10/2011: Commission moves to help olive oil industry
As demand for olive oil falls and prices follow suit, the European Commission is intervening to ensure beleaguered producers tender for aid so they can store their surplus. Brussels announced recently that it will provide private storage aid enabling up to 100,000 tonnes of Spanish virgin olive oil to be stored for six months.

14/10/2011: Academics slam ‘medicine-based’ EU claims system
A group of 13 academics has slammed the EU nutrition and health claims legislation (NHCR) for its ‘evidence-based medicinal’ approach that rules out what they consider perfectly valid nutritional science. Using examples including antioxidents, they argue that the medicinal approach is failing to acknowledge statistically significant nutritional science and that ‘There is a need to translate the impact of nutrition on health and wellness into a framework of biomarkers and physiologic responses sufficient to quantify and substantiate these relations for the maintenance of a beneficial body function.”

14/10/2011: Matapiro Olives cleans up at Royal Easter Show
Hawke’s Bay producer Matapiro Olives has taken the coveted title of Supreme Champion and the Logan Campbell Trophy at this year’s Royal Easter Show Olive Oil Awards. In a clean sweep, Matapiro also took top awards in all three major oil classes: Delicate, Medium and Intense. We’ll bring you further results and more about their win in the November-December edition of Olivegrower & Processor.

14/10/2011: Olives New Zealand AGM tomorrow
Olives New Zealand Inc members, don’t forget to the 2011 ONZ Annual General Meeting is being held tomorrow, October 15 from 10am -11.30am at Tatum Park, 820-850 State Highway 1 Manakau (between Otaki and Levin). The agenda will include the election of officers and a review of the constitution. Further information http://www.olivesnz.org.nz/agm/notice-of-agm/ . The day will also encompass a field walk at last year’s Best of Show EVOO award winner's grove, Kapiti Olives, followed by the ONZ Awards Dinner. The event is open to all olive growers, and the cost is $65 for the lunch and field walk, and $80 for the dinner. Last minute registrations and enquiries to admin@olivesnz.org.nz

14/10/2011: Online Organic Agriculture Diploma
The Australian Agriculture College Corporation (AACC) is seeking feedback from individuals interested in potentially completing an online Organic Agriculture Diploma. As this is the first course of its kind being developed, ACCC welcomes all feedback and/or suggestions from potential participants in order to tailor the course to individuals’ needs. A brief five minute survey is available here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/D8X3SQW and for further information contact education@bfa.com.au.

14/10/2011: Electrostatic spray demonstration
And don’t forget also the two night-time demonstrations of new-model electrostatic sprayers in action, presented by The Olive Centre and Martignani, where a glow-in-the-dark spray medium will be applied to trees. The demonstrations will be held on 24 October at Sam Miranda Vineyards, Snow Road, Oxley, VIC (vineyard demo) and 26 October at EV Olives, 203 Everton Road, Markwood VIC 3678 (olive demo), commencing at 5.30pm, with a BBQ provided on both nights. To register ph: 07 4696 9845, 0403 498 645 or email amanda@theolivecentre.com.au

14/10/2011: Just two weeks until the 2011 National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition
Have you booked your place at the 2011 National Olive Conference and Trade Exhibition? There’s still time, and the Wangaratta community are gearing up for a warm country welcome for their olive industry visitors! You’ll find all the details, including speaker profiles and exhibitor details, site plan, conference schedule and registration form, in the official program, proudly provided by Olivegrower & Processor and the AOA inside the new September-October edition. Don’t miss out – register now for this important industry event.

14/10/2011: Placements sought for French agricultural trainees
French organisation Odyssée Agri is looking for work experience placement positions on agricultural properties in Australia and New Zealand. The young French farmers come from farming backgrounds and are skilled and experienced in agriculture. Applicants are available throughout the year and most stay for several months. They have their own insurance and international drivers licences, and many have experience driving tractors, harvesters and other farm machinery. For more information, or to organise a placement, go to www.odyssee-agri.com (click on the British flag for English pages) or contact Odyssée Agri at info@odyssee-agri.com.

14/10/2011: September-October Olivegrower out now!
The latest edition of Australian & New Zealand Olivegrower & Processor hit letterboxes this week, bringing readers the latest in olive industry news and information. Along with updates on the new Australian Standard and the Olive Levy Proposal, there’s more local and international news, information on plant sanitation and resistant cultivars, an explanation of current lab tests and what they mean, and a practical guide to DIY grafting. The edition also includes the official 2011 AOA National Olive Conference & Exhibition program, proudly presented by Olivegrower and the AOA. Don’t miss out!

14/10/2011: In Olive Council Memorandum, “unease” over Australian Standards
Back in January when Australia and New Zealand proposed new olive oil standards that departed from those established by the International Olive Council, the IOC issued a statement calling the measure a possible “barrier to trade” while recommending a reconsideration of the move. The statement, titled “IOC Comments on the Draft Australian/New Zealand Standard Olive Oils and Olive Pomace Oils,” laid out about 20 “discrepancies” that included definitions, olive oil categories and testing methods in the proposed guidelines that differed with, or did not exist in the IOC standards. “It would be expedient,” the IOC said, “for the Australian/New Zealand draft standard to be re-examined.”

Olive Oil News, International Trends

Olives and Health

Table Olive News

Table Olive News, Olive Oil News