The Mediterranean countries are the world's primary producers of olive oil, with Spain, Italy, and Greece standing out. These countries together account for 90% of global production and are also among the top consumers of olive oil. While Spain ranks first in production, Italy—despite being the second-largest producer—is the largest consumer, exporter, and importer of olive oil.

Quality and Characteristics by Region

Mediterranean olive oil-producing countries each have their own unique qualities. Spanish olive oil is particularly renowned for its distinct flavor and high quality, making it highly sought after in the market. Italian and Greek olive oils also offer unique flavor profiles, providing diverse options for consumers. Understanding the regional characteristics and quality differences can help consumers choose the olive oil that best suits their taste preferences.

As a Mediterranean treasure, olive oil varies in quality based on origin and production method. Among its many categories, extra virgin olive oil stands out for its superior quality, with a free fatty acid content of less than 1%. Virgin olive oil, though slightly higher in acidity, still maintains rich flavor. Other types include regular virgin olive oil and lampante oil, which cater to different cooking and taste needs. Refined blended olive oil combines refined and virgin oils, balancing purity and flavor. Pomace olive oil, made from olive residues and refined, offers decent quality, especially in the form of refined blended pomace oil, which blends refined pomace oil with virgin olive oil to deliver a complex flavor experience.

Current Trends in Olive Oil Imports and Exports

The U.S. imposition of a 27.3% tariff has severely impacted Spain's olive oil industry. Exports to the U.S. plummeted by 62%, resulting in a €480 million loss and leaving 70,000 farmers in crisis. Once a top market for Spanish olive oil, the U.S. has become a source of uncertainty. Now, terms like "shrinking profit margins," "rising costs," and "cancelled orders" are commonplace in the industry. Small and medium-sized exporters have been hit hardest, with many forced to suspend exports to the U.S. and wait for better prospects.

Breaking Into New Markets: Spain's Strategic Shift

Faced with declining U.S. demand, Spanish olive oil producers are accelerating global diversification. "If the U.S. doesn't work, we'll look to Asia and Africa," many say. Companies are actively pursuing new markets such as China and Japan, where demand for premium olive oil is rapidly increasing. "We can't put all our eggs in one basket," say Spanish olive oil producers determined to expand beyond traditional markets.

How to Identify New Market Importers of Olive Oil

Tendata is a premium solution for identifying global olive oil importers. With Tendata, you can easily access a comprehensive list of olive oil buyers and their historical shipment values. By searching recent Chinese import data on olive oil, you can view detailed HS code listings. Tendata is a leading source of import-export intelligence, covering trade data from over 228 countries and regions.

Here are the Top 10 Olive Oil Importers in 2024:

1.COMERCIALIZADORA MEXICO AMERICANA, S. DE R.L. DE C.V. (16.82%, $153.52 million)

2.DEOLEO COMERCIAL MEXICO SA DE CV (7.37%, $67.26 million)

3.RAGASA INDUSTRIAS (5.46%, $49.79 million)

4.DEOLEO INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED (4.82%, $44.02 million)

5.BORGES INDIA PVT LTD (3.17%, $28.96 million)

6.SPRAYLAB (2.93%, $26.76 million)

7.CANDOR-AGS MEXICO SA DE CV (2.18%, $19.86 million)

8.CERTIFIED ORIGINS (1.63%, $14.87 million)

9.IMPORTADORA PRIMEX (1.52%, $13.89 million)

10.SESAJAL (1.49%, $13.56 million)

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In addition to these top players, many other importers around the world play a vital role in the olive oil trade. To view a complete list of all active olive oil importers globally, explore our olive oil trade data in Tendata.

Trade Data: Tendata has accumulated 10 billion+ trade transaction details from 228+ countries and regions, supporting one-click query of major import and export countries, customer distribution, product volume and price, etc., which helps import and export enterprises to accurately understand the global market and the trade environment of the target market.

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