Australian olive oil exports to the US still lead the way but inroads are being made in traditional oil markets and prospects are good in emerging economies according to Austrade’s expert, Tim Harcourt.
Austrade’s chief economist, Harcourt, said that the free trade agreement (FTA) markets of the USA and New Zealand lead the way as far as Australian olive oil exports go.
However, Australia is also exporting to traditional olive oil countries Italy and Spain, which is a bit like selling ice to the eskimos.
“China and the UK are also in the top five,” he said.
During the 2006-07 financial year ABS figures show that Australian olive and olive oil exports totaled just over $17.5 million which was more than three times the value in 2004-05.
“Climatic factors in Mediterranean Europe may lead to further growth there,” he added.
The full article can be found in the November/December 2007 of the Olivegrower & Processor.
