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Despite a sharp decline of nearly 25% in olive oil production during the 2024-2025 season, Italy's olive oil industry has shown remarkable resilience in the face of climate crises and international pressures, according to Assitol, the association affiliated with the Confederation of Italian Industry.
The association, which represents the olive oil industry sector, reviewed the latest data released by the European Commission, noting that national production this season reached just 248,000 tonnes — a marked decline compared with last year, and one that contrasts with the performance of some other European countries.
Anna Cane, head of Assitol's olive oil group, said: "We knew this would be a difficult season, but the climate crisis and geopolitical tensions have made things even more complicated, making it harder for companies to plan ahead."
Cane added that rising raw material prices and the prospect of US tariffs had a direct impact on market prices, particularly within the Italian market. Nevertheless, the association stressed the importance of the "art of blending," one of the hallmarks of the Italian industry, whereby multiple types of oils are blended to create innovative flavours that meet consumer tastes.
In a statement, the head of the industrial confederation said: "Thanks to the expertise of our companies, we have managed to overcome these challenges successfully. We can confidently say that Italy remains the world leader in technical know-how for producing extra virgin olive oil."
He also noted that olive oil consumption at retail outlets has remained largely stable, which, according to Assitol, reflects the product's continued strong standing among Italian consumers.
Source: ANSAmed