10 World’s Biggest Olive Oil Producers– Based on the FAO Statistical Corporate Database in 2020, there are 10 World’s Biggest Olive Oil Producers. Overall, they have huge production of Olive oil in 2020. Olive oil has diverse functions in human lives. Some people used it for cooking oils, fuels, soap, or medicine. So, this plant has some nutritious that has some benefit to humans and many people depend on it.
Olive oil can be obtained from the fruits of the olive plant (Olea europaea). Historically, this plant originates from the Mediterranean area. Most of the country cultivated this species because of a large number of its beneficial function. In Biological aspects, taxonomically, this plant can be included in Kingdom: Plantae; Subkingdom: Viridiplantae; Infrakingdom: Streptophyta; Superdivision: Embryophyta; Division: Tracheophyta; Subdivision: Spermatophytina; Class: Magnoliopsida; Superorder: Asteranae; Order: Lamiales; Family: Oleaceae; Genus: Olea L.; Species: Olea europaea L. Based on the biological taxonomy, olive (Olea europaea) belongs to Oleaceae family, therefore it has close relation with Jasminum officinale, Ligustrum vulgare, Forsythia, and Osmanthus.
Based on the Worldwide database, on FAOSTAT 2020, the world’s production of olive oil has increased from time to time. in 1980, the world’s production of olive oil reached 1.9 million tonnes. Meanwhile, in 2020, the world production of olive oil has become 3.3 million tonnes.
The World’s Production of Olive Oil From 1980 to 2020
| Years | World’s Production of Olive Oil |
|---|---|
| (Tonnes) | |
| 1980 | 1,979,794 |
| 1981 | 1,456,029 |
| 1982 | 1,961,827 |
| 1983 | 1,685,549 |
| 1984 | 1,663,049 |
| 1985 | 1,717,763 |
| 1986 | 1,567,224 |
| 1987 | 1,997,831 |
| 1988 | 1,489,952 |
| 1989 | 1,776,796 |
| 1990 | 1,494,374 |
| 1991 | 2,320,433 |
| 1992 | 1,823,432 |
| 1993 | 1,900,400 |
| 1994 | 1,792,815 |
| 1995 | 1,658,357 |
| 1996 | 2,583,778 |
| 1997 | 2,590,417 |
| 1998 | 2,402,791 |
| 1999 | 2,335,062 |
| 2000 | 2,544,589 |
| 2001 | 2,644,397 |
| 2002 | 2,447,956 |
| 2003 | 3,089,740 |
| 2004 | 2,927,049 |
| 2005 | 2,541,650 |
| 2006 | 2,947,613 |
| 2007 | 2,765,185 |
| 2008 | 2,690,230 |
| 2009 | 3,012,749 |
| 2010 | 3,183,675 |
| 2011 | 3,410,137 |
| 2012 | 2,495,029 |
| 2013 | 3,509,172 |
| 2014 | 2,253,696 |
| 2015 | 3,403,051 |
| 2016 | 2,853,213 |
| 2017 | 3,151,404 |
| 2018 | 3,688,506 |
| 2019 | 3,124,265 |
| 2020 | 3,373,882 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | |
Based on the Continental regions, the production of olive oil still concentrated in Europe regions with production around 2.1 million tonnes. Furthermore, the Africa and Asia regions are the second position with production around 703 thousand tonnes and 465 thousand tonnes, respectively. Meanwhile, Americas and Oceania region produced in minor output with 71 thousand tonnes, and 9 thousand tonnes, respectively.
The Production of Oilve Oil Based on Continent in 2020
| Continental | Production of Olive Oil in 2020 |
|---|---|
| (tonnes) | |
| Africa | 703,800 |
| Americas | 71,892 |
| Asia | 465,180 |
| Europe | 2,124,009 |
| Oceania | 9,000 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | |
Based on the statistical data of FAO Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) in 2019, there are some biggest country’s producers of oil. Here are the 10 World’s Biggest Olive Oil Producers.
The Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Olive Oil Producers
| Ranks | Country | Production of Olive Oil in 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tonnes) | ||
| 1 | Spain | 1,356,411 |
| 2 | Tunisia | 373,100 |
| 3 | Italy | 330,879 |
| 4 | Greece | 308,000 |
| 5 | Türkiye | 240,100 |
| 6 | Morocco | 164,600 |
| 7 | Syrian Arab Republic | 138,217 |
| 8 | Algeria | 113,600 |
| 9 | Portugal | 107,000 |
| 10 | Egypt | 36,000 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | ||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Olive Oil Producers
1.Spain
Spain become the biggest producer of Olive Oil in 2020. Statistically, the production of olive oil from this country reaches 1,356,411 tons. Geographically, there are some areas of olive production in Spain. Andalusia, Catalonia, Castile-La Mancha, and Toledo province are some of the main areas of olive cultivation. In this country, there are some protected designations of origin (PDO) of olive oil. These are Sierra de Cazorla, Gata-Hurdea, Les Garrigues, La Rioja, and Sierra de Cádiz.
2.Tunisia
Tunisia become the second-biggest producer of olive oil. In 2020, the production of olive oil reach 373,10 0tons. Genetically, some of the olive plants cultivated in Tunisia are Chetoui, Sayali, Gerboui, Zalmati, Zarrari, and Chemlali.
3.Italy
Italy become the third-biggest olive oil producer in 2020. Statistically, based on the FAO Statistical Database In 2019, the production of Italy’s olive oil reach 330,879 tons. Geographically, there are some areas in Italy with the biggest production of Olive oil. Apulia, Calabria, Sicily, Campania, Abruzzo, Lazio, Toscana, and Umbria are some of area with biggest production of olive oil in Italy.
3.Greece
Greece become the fourth-biggest olive oil producer in 2020. Based on the FAO Statistical Database in 2019, the production of Greece olive oil reach 308,000 tons. Genetically, based on the type of olive plants. There are some types of olive that are commonly cultivated in Greece. These cultivars are Koroneiki, Athinolia (Mastoidis), Tsounati (Mastoidis), Manaki, Kalamon (Kalamata), Kolovi (Valanolia, Mytilinia). Geographically, in this country, the main cultivation of olive plants is centralized in the Peloponnese peninsula and the island of Crete.
5.Turkey
Turkey is the fifth-biggest producer of Olive oil. In 2020, the production of olive oil reach 240,100 tons. Geographically, there are some regions of olive oil production. These areas are Aydın, İzmir, Muğla, Balıkesir, Bursa, Manisa, Çanakkale, Gaziantep, Mersin, Marmara, and south-east Anatolia. Genetically, based on cultivars, there are some popular olive plants in Turkey. Edremit (Ayvalık), Memecik, Gemlik are some of the cultivars of olive plants cultivated in Turkey.
6.Morocco
Morocco is the sixth biggest producer of olive oil. Statistically, in 2020, the production of olive oil in Morocco reach 164,600 tons. Geographically, in this country, there are some regions of olive plants productions. Marrakech, Fez, Meknes, and Casablanca are some main regions of olive productions.
7.Syrian Arab Republic
Syrian become the seventh-biggest producer of olive oil. In 2020, statistically, the production of olive was around 138,217 tons. Geographically, most of the olive farming is concentrated in two principal areas in the northwest (Idleb- Aleppo) and Coastal area (latakia – Tartous). Based on genetics, there are some popular olive plants in Syria. these cultivars are ‘Sorani’, ‘Zeiti’, and ‘Qaisi’ are some of the popular cultivars in Syria.
8.Algeria
Algeria become the eighth-biggest producer of olive oil. In 2020, the production of olive oil reach 113,600 tons. In this country, there are some olive cultivars that are grown in Algeria. these cultivars are Azeradj, Bouricha, the Limli, and the Chemla
9.Portugal
Portugal become the ninth-biggest of olive oil producer. In 2020, the production of olive oil from Portugal reaches 107,000 tons. Geographically, there are some main regions of olive plantation in Portugal. These areas are Alentejo Region and Trás-os-Montes. Meanwhile, based on genetics, the type of olive oil planted in Portugal are Verdeal and Madural. In this country, there five popular of DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) of olive oil. these are Azeite de Moura DOP, Azeite de Trás-os-Montes DOP, Azeite do Alentejo Interior DOP, Azeites da Beira Interior (Azeite da Beira Alta, Azeite da Beira Baixa) DOP, Azeites do Norte Alentejano DOP, Azeites do Ribatejo DOP.
10.Egypt
Egypt become the 10th biggest producer of olive oil. In 2019, the production of olive oil reach 36,000. Statistically, this country still became the second biggest exporter of table olive oil. Because of higher demand economic potential, this country will expand its olive plantation in the future. some of the potential areas of olive cultivation are West Minya, Matrouh, and oases in the Western Desert, El Tur area.
Bibliography of 10 World’s Biggest Olive Oil Producers
FAO. 2021. Top 10 Country Production of Oil, olive, virgin 2019. Accessed via https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/countries_by_commodity on January 3rd, 2022
