'OLIVUM is committed to innovation and sustainability for Portuguese EVOO'

Interview with Susana Sassetti, Executive Director of Olivum

OLIVUM represents a key part of the olive oil sector in Portugal. What are the main challenges currently facing the Portuguese industry, and how are you working to address them?

OLIVUM represents around 53,000 hectares of olive groves, 20 mills, and approximately 70% of the olive oil produced in Portugal. The sector has experienced very significant growth over the past 20 years, which brings several challenges.

Among the main challenges are the instability of international markets and dependence on external prices, the shortage of skilled labor—especially in traditional olive groves, where high production costs have led to abandonment—the growing demands regarding sustainability, and the need to improve consumer knowledge about the categories and types of olive oil. The increase in production has also brought additional challenges related to marketing and the valorization of by-products.

At OLIVUM, we act to face these challenges through strategic partnerships with educational and research institutions, other associations and organizations, promotional campaigns to enhance the value of olive oil, and by strengthening our commitment to energy transition and efficient water resource management. In addition, we advocate for public policies that promote the competitiveness and resilience of the entire sector.

Sustainability is a fundamental pillar in olive oil production in Portugal. What measures are Portuguese producers implementing to ensure responsible and environmentally efficient production?

OLIVUM is fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, regarding the olive oil sector, seeks for its members to adopt practices that promote responsible, efficient, and balanced production from an environmental and social perspective.

We believe that higher-density olive farming can also be regenerative, efficient, and responsible, provided the right practices are adopted. We pay special attention to sustainable water management, soil health, responsible production, climate change mitigation, the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as the valorization of olive grove and mill by-products, promoting the circular economy. Many farms already invest in renewable energies, particularly through the installation of solar panels.

These practices not only reduce environmental impact but also increase the sector’s resilience to climate change. As an association, we have the duty to encourage and support the adoption of these measures, promoting innovation and raising awareness among producers and consumers about the importance of sustainability in the sector.

In this context, we launched the Olive Oil Sustainability Program, created to support producers in implementing good practices and meeting the environmental, social, and economic goals essential for the future of Portuguese olive growing.

Portuguese olive oil has gained recognition in international markets. What are the main growth and expansion opportunities for the sector in the future?

Portugal was able to seize the opportunity created by the Alqueva irrigation system and today meets the conditions to establish itself as a global reference in the production of high-quality olive oil. This recognition is due to the modernization of the sector, the adoption of new technologies, the sustainability practices already implemented in our olive groves, and the fact that most of the oil produced is extra virgin. However, we are also concerned about the abandonment of traditional olive groves, and we see in this type of grove an opportunity for growth, valuing tradition, small-scale farming, and the Portugal brand.

Among the main growth opportunities are:

- Opening new markets, inside and outside Europe, with special potential in Asian markets;

- Differentiation by origin and sustainability, values increasingly appreciated by consumers;

- Investing in own brands that strengthen the positioning and identity of Portuguese olive oil.

The joint work between OLIVUM, producers, and public entities will be decisive in this new phase of development and in ensuring that the sector continues to grow competitively and sustainably.

OLIVUM has established itself as a reference center for the olive oil sector in Portugal, transmitting key information to its members and fostering the connection between research, production, and industry. How does this work contribute to the development of the sector, and what initiatives would you highlight?

At OLIVUM, we believe that the future of the olive oil sector lies in innovation based on scientific and technological knowledge. In this sense, we highlight the role we have played as a connection point between producers, universities, research centers, companies, and other associations and organizations. Our goal is to mobilize the entire sector for a greater good: enhancing the value of Portuguese olive oil and its sustainable development, ensuring economic, environmental, and social benefits for present and future generations.

Several studies developed by OLIVUM have served as working bases for our members and have contributed to the sustainable and competitive advancement of the entire sector. In areas related to sustainability, such as the Olive Oil Sustainability Program, which comes into force this year, with the availability of water for irrigation, with the defense of archaeological heritage through the recent Terraoliva project, with sector data (two studies prepared with data from the olive sector), among others.

In addition, we organize training sessions, technical seminars, and exchanges of best practices, with the aim of empowering our members and aligning the entire chain to answer to future challenges.

One of OLIVUM’s goals is to promote knowledge about olive production in Portugal, especially in modern irrigated olive groves. How has this production model evolved, and what impact does it have on the quality and competitiveness of Portuguese olive oil?

The modern irrigated olive grove model has allowed Portugal to make a qualitative and quantitative leap in olive oil production. This system optimizes the use of resources, reduces costs, and ensures oil quality.

Thanks to mechanized harvesting, greater plant health control, and traceability at all stages, consumers are guaranteed a safe, high-quality, and sustainably produced oil.

The impact has been transformative: in just two decades, Portugal has more than doubled its production and has gone from being an importer to an exporter of olive oil, gaining increasing international recognition, both in competitions and in the most demanding markets.

How would you encourage professionals from the olive oil value chain to participate in the World Olive Oil Congress in Portugal in 2026, and what benefits do you think the Portuguese sector can gain from this event?

The World Olive Oil Congress is a privileged platform for sharing knowledge, networking, and gaining international visibility. It represents a unique opportunity for Portuguese professionals to showcase the best that is done in the country, learn from international producers and technicians, and establish strategic partnerships.

I encourage all stakeholders—from producers, technicians, and researchers to commercial managers—to participate actively. This is a moment to place Portuguese olive oil at the center of global attention and to strengthen our position as one of the most innovative and sustainable countries in olive production.