Olive Oil World Production
Spain is the world’s largest producer of olives and, therefore, in obtaining olive oil, and its derivatives. Distantly followed by Italy and Greece.
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Major producers of olive oil in the world years 2009 and 2010 (Source FAO) |
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Country |
Production in tons |
Production % (2009) |
Production in tons |
Production % (2010) |
|
World |
2,911,115 |
100% |
3,269,249 |
100% |
|
|
1,199,200 |
41.2% |
1,487,000 |
45.5% |
|
|
587,700 |
20.2% |
548,500 |
16.8% |
|
|
332,600 |
11.4% |
352,800 |
10.8% |
|
Others |
791,615 |
27.2% |
880,949 |
26.9% |
Spain
Italy
Greece
In Spain there are 32 Denominations of Origin (DO) virgin and extra virgin olive oil, mainly in Region Andalusia (south Spain), ensuring the quality of oil produced by them and marking patterns of cultivation, collection, processing, bottling and labeling. All are committed to the final product quality through strict quality controls.
Producers, who qualify for the designation of origin, are committed to maintain the highest quality oil and traditional uses in production process.
All the oils with Denomination of Origin, and only those oils, carry the logo which distinguishes them. Of those, extra virgin olive oil is the finest, has the most intense flavor, and the best quality.
Andalucía, which accounts for 75% of the Spanish production, cultivates the most olives in the world. Jaen, one of the provinces in Andalusia, alone produces more olive oil than all of Greece, although the surface area of this province is only about 10% that of Greece, which is itself the third largest producer in the world.
The three most relevant Denomination of Origen (Vintage Guarantee) are:
D.O. Sierra de Segura, D.O. Sierra de Cazorla and D.O Sierra de Magina.
SIERRA DE SEGURA is a geographical Area, in the northeast of the province of Jaen in the region of Sierra de Segura which has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. In this natural environment, olives grow between 800 and 1500 meters, through hills and valleys.
The main variety of olives is Picual, which is a fruity green olive often with medium intensity of bitter and spicy.
The extra virgin olive oil that comes from Picual olives is the most stable. Its composition of fatty acids, the amount of natural antioxidants, its high content of monounsaturated oleic acid and its high polyphenol content makes this oil the best of its kind.
The oil produced under the brand name of SEÑORÍO DE SEGURA or FUENTEBUENA are inherently extra virgin oil, with no additives or preservatives, contains an acidity level of less than 0.4º, and is always made from the first cold pressing. It is of the purest quality giving it a greenish yellow colour with a fruity smell and taste that is both fresh and aromatic, which results in its being granted the QUALITY CERTIFICATE for Andalusia Food Products and DENOMINATION OF ORIGIN “Sierra de Segura”.
To view Extra Virgin Oilve Oil D.O. Sierra de Segura click here.
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