Olive Oil

The olive oil sector is a fundamental pillar of the Spanish agri-food system.

Spain is a world leader in surface area, production and foreign trade thanks to our country's olive-growing tradition and a technologically advanced and professional industry capable of obtaining high quality oils. Spanish olive oil production accounts for 70% of EU production and 45% of world production.

The sector is not only of indisputable economic importance, but also has a great social, environmental and territorial impact. More than 350,000 farmers are dedicated to olive growing, the sector supports some 15,000 jobs in the industry and generates more than 32 million daily wages per season. 

Likewise, the transformation and distribution processes of its production, including its by-products, constitute the main activity of numerous municipalities and an associated industry which, in many cases, provides backbone and cohesion to the rural environment in which it is located, supported by a strong grassroots cooperative movement.

Surface area and production

Olive groves cover 2.75 million hectares, of which 2.55 million hectares belong to olive oil mills (93% of the total olive groves). The crop is present in 15 of the 17 autonomous communities with a central-southern and eastern distribution of the peninsula.  Andalusia is the largest producing region with 1.67 million hectares and concentrates, mainly in Jaén, its characteristic "sea of olive trees".

Olive cultivation has the largest Integrated Production area in Spain with 477,606 hectares (2019 data), which represents 57% of the national total of this type of production and 18% of the total area of olive groves in Spain. In addition, 217,864 hectares of olive mill olive groves produce under organic farming (2020 data).

In terms of production, olive cultivation is characterised by its markedly neighbouring nature, which is why olive oil production shows a great productive alternation between seasons. 

At regional level, olive oil production is located in Andalusia with 80% of the total, where Jaén is the main producing province with approximately 37% of the total, followed by Castilla La Mancha with 8% and Extremadura with 4% of the national total.

Foreign trade

Spain is the world's leading exporter of olive oil. Its exports account for around 65% of its total sales.

Olive oil represents the third most exported agri-food product by our country, with more than 150 destination countries and a favourable trade balance that contributes to the positive balance of the agri-food sector as a whole.

Market Situation 

Spain is the main player in the world olive oil market, which is characterised by a growing trend in consumption thanks to its beneficial properties from a nutritional and health point of view.  

In the 2021/22 campaign, there was an increase in the volume exported to China (+2%) and, especially, South Korea (+32%) compared to the previous campaign, with slight reductions in the rest of the main destinations. More marked decreases were recorded to Portugal (-37%) and Russia (-47%).

The unit value of exports rose considerably in all destinations, increasing overall by +30% compared to the previous season.

Among the countries where Spanish olive oil is most exported are: Italy, the United States, Portugal, France and the United Kingdom.

Among the non-EU markets with significant increases in exports are South Korea, Colombia, Mexico and the United States. At the INTRA EU level, there was strong growth in Germany and Poland. In addition, during the 21/22 season there were decreases in export value in Canada and Portugal. 

In the second third of the marketing year 2021/22, exports to a total of 150 different countries have been recorded.  The top 20 destinations account for 91% of the value of total olive oil exports, with only 80% going to the top 10.