Olive oil is an essential element of Mediterranean cuisine and is valued worldwide for cooking and for health purposes. But which countries are the largest producers of this valuable oil?
Spain tops the list of the largest olive oil producers. The country benefits from an ideal climate and a long tradition of olive growing, which enables it to produce olive oil of excellent quality.
Italy is close behind Spain. Italy’s various regions, such as Tuscany and Puglia, are known for their different olive varieties, which are processed into high-quality oils.
Turkey is also a major producer. Turkey has significantly increased its production in recent years and offers a wide variety of olive oils that are exported worldwide.
Tunisia is known as one of the leading producers of olive oil in Africa. The country is continuously investing in olive growing and improving its production methods.
Greece also contributes significantly to global olive oil production. With a rich history of olive growing and a wide variety of olive varieties, Greece produces some of the best olive oils in the world.
Portugal has become a major player in olive oil production in recent years. Portugal’s olive groves are mainly found in the Alentejo and Trás-os-Montes regions.
Morocco has consolidated its position as a major producer by continuously investing in the olive sector. Olive-growing areas such as Meknès and Marrakech are known for their high-quality oils.
Syria is a traditional producer of olive oil, with ancient olive groves still in production despite the difficult conditions in recent years.
Algeria also has a significant olive oil production, mainly due to the traditional farming methods and the cultivation of native olive varieties.
Egypt is an emerging producer that is continuously investing in the expansion of its olive growing. The growing demand for Egyptian olive oil is contributing to the expansion of plantations in regions such as the Western Desert.
These countries are shaping the global market for olive oil with their unique oils, each with their own special flavours and characteristics. The long tradition and modern technology in olive oil production help to ensure that olive oil will continue to be a sought-after and valued ingredient worldwide.