The collapse of global olive oil prices and the volatile market conditions for olive oil producers from Europe and North Africa are being blamed for one of Australia’s largest olive oil producers, Kailis Organic Olive Oil Groves Group, going into receivership, according to the receivers, KordaMentha. Others are saying that the financial woes encountered by the company are partially self-made and attributable to a failed managerial investment scheme, creating refinancing difficulty. Kailis Organic... ...Read more »

Producers and consumers of olive oil will gather at the 2011 National Conference and Trade Exhibition in Wangaratta today, to discuss issues currently facing the industry, including its relationship with consumers. Described by Homer as ‘liquid gold’ and worshipped by Mediterranean for centuries, olive oil has had a particularly ‘issue-filled’ year in Australia. Companies have been accused of misleading consumers, for example, by labeling oils ‘extra virgin’ when they were not. More recently,... ...Read more »

Australia is on track for a bumper year for olive oil, with a record production of 17 million litres of extra virgin oil expected for 2011. Favourable climatic conditions have boosted the industry after lower-than-anticipated yields last year. Olive harvesting is underway now in most states across the country and will continue through to July, according to the Australian Olive Association, the umbrella organisation for Australia olive growers and olive oil producers. Most of Australia’s olives... ...Read more »

A new meta-analysis of 50 studies, including half a million subjects, has confirmed that eating a Mediterranean diet has a wide variety of health benefits for lifestyle diseases The Mediterranean diet includes lots of olives and olive oil (a great source of monounsaturated fatty acids), fruits, vegetables and wholegrain cereals, low-fat dairy, fish, nuts, and legumes, and moderate alcohol consumption with meals, but relatively little red meat. The Mediterranean diet, according to Dr. Panagiotakos... ...Read more »

ALDI’s Olive Tree Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil has been awarded Product of the Year in the Cooking Ingredient category in the 2011 Product of the Year Survey of Innovation. Stefan Kopp, ALDI Managing Director – Buying, said that the supermarket is very proud of its olive oil products, and is honoured and delighted to have won the Award. “We are passionate about quality and work tirelessly with our suppliers to ensure our products are the best they can be. This award is a reflection... ...Read more »

Researchers from the universities of Navarra and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria have demonstrated that the ingestion of trans fatty acids (also known as trans-fats) and saturated fats increase the risk of suffering depression, and that olive oil, on the other hand, may protect against this condition. The study followed 12,059 SUN Project volunteers over the course of six years; the volunteers had their diet, lifestyle and ailments analyzed at the beginning of the project, over its course and at the end... ...Read more »

US agribusiness giant Bunge is in talks over a possible stake in SOS Corporacion Alimentaria, the Spanish food group behind Bertolli and Carbonell olive oils. SOS said yesterday that its discussions with Bunge related to its plans to sell shares worth 200 million euros (A$283.3 million) to help restructure its debt and find expansion. However, SOS dismissed reports in Spain that the talks with Bunge had included a possible takeover offer from the US firm. “In the discussions with Bunge, there... ...Read more »

Australian olive oil maker Kailis Organic Olive Groves has acquired the olive assets of collapsed local agribusiness Great Southern Limited. According to Kailis, the deal will make it the “world’s largest vertically integrated organic olive oil producer”. The acquisition includes 1,795 hectares of planted and irrigated olive groves, water licences, associated infrastructure and equipment. The value of the deal was not disclosed, however a company spokesperson told just-food that... ...Read more »

Australian extra virgin olive oil producers gathered in Glenelg, Adelaide on Friday night for the results of the largest and most prestigious awards event in the industry’s calendar – the Australian Olive Association’s 14th National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards Show. 13 gold medals were awarded from over 200 entries, which were scrutinised in an intense two-day judging process by 26 olive oil experts, with Best Oil of Show going to Jos and Kathy Weemaes , Gooramadda Olives, North... ...Read more »

Cobram Estate’s Fresh & Fruity Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) was yesterday announced as the Gold and Champion Commercial EVOO winner in the prestigious Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, adding to the brand’s enviable awards portfolio and cementing Cobram Estate’s position as Australia’s leading home-grown olive oil. The winning oil, Fresh & Fruity from Cobram Estate’s Everyday Range, was recognized for outstanding quality and excellence in a competitive field, and... ...Read more »