Greater association of the sector estimates 10% growth in olive oil production

ANDm a statement sent to the agency Lusa, Olivum – Associação de Olivíves e Lagares de Portugal indicated that this growth may arise due to “high temperatures” that will anticipate the period of “maturation of the olive”.

“ This evolution may lead some olive growers to start harvesting earlier, with the corresponding start of the mills”, says Gonçalo Moreira, project manager of Olivum.

According to the association, to confirm the forecast, the 2026/2027 campaign should bring “the country closer to the reference values recorded in the 2024/2025 campaign”, i.e. around 177,000 tonnes.

“ After a previous campaign that totaled 160,000 tonnes of olive oil at national level, this year’s forecasts point to a recovery of the sector,” Olivum said.

Still, Gonçalo Moreira underlines that it is “still premature to draw conclusions about the campaign”, but the focus is on maintaining “the commitment of the sector to the quality of excellence of Portuguese olive oil, reinforcing Portugal’s position at the top of the major world producers”.

The association also warns that despite the “good prospects” for this year, it continues “with regard to the evolution of production costs, including fuel-related costs”.

“ In mainland Portugal, the average price of agricultural gas oil has risen by about 60% and road diesel has increased by 40% compared to the annual period of the campaign, [this increase being] an additional challenge facing the sector in the management of this campaign”, he assumes.

Based in Beja and established in 2013, Olivum is an association of olive growers and mills and intends to give answers to new issues of olive cultivation, including the need for defense and representativeness of the sector, at the time almost non-existent.

This association represents more than 53,000 hectares of olive groves, 21 mills and about 70% of the national olive oil production.