10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Olive Oil
10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Olive Oil
10 World’s Biggest Country Producers Olive Oil – Based on the FAO Statistical Corporate Database in 2026,
there are 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Olive Oil in 2023. Overall,
these countries have bigger production of olive oil in 2023 than others.
Functionally, Olive oil has diverse benefits in human lives. Some people used
it for cooking oils, and became the ingredients in the making of fuels, soap,
or medicine. So, this plant has some nutrition that has some benefits to
humans, and many people depend on it. Basically, based on the processed aspects,
olive oil can be differentiated by some types, namely Extra Virgin Olive Oil
(EVOO), Virgin Olive Oil, and Refined Olive Oil.
Olive oil is a liquid fat which can be obtained from the
fruits of the olive plant (Olea europaea). Historically, this plant originates
from the Mediterranean area. Most countries cultivated this species because of
many of its beneficial functions. 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 other plant species including
Jasminum officinale, Ligustrum vulgare, Forsythia, and Osmanthus.
Statistically,
according to the Worldwide
database, on FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) 2026, the world’s
production of olive oil has increased from time to time. In 1961, the world’s production of olive oil was just 1.3 million
tons. Meanwhile, after more than 60 years, precisely in 2023, the world’s
production of olive oil has increased to 2.6 million tons.
The World’s Production of Olive Oil From 1961 to 2023
|
Years |
World's
Production of Olive Oil |
|
(Tons) |
|
|
1961 |
1,359,092 |
|
1962 |
931,050 |
|
1963 |
1,807,629 |
|
1964 |
936,029 |
|
1965 |
1,244,259 |
|
1966 |
1,286,239 |
|
1967 |
1,358,568 |
|
1968 |
1,502,289 |
|
1969 |
1,288,400 |
|
1970 |
1,405,036 |
|
1971 |
1,581,289 |
|
1972 |
1,453,274 |
|
1973 |
1,529,757 |
|
1974 |
1,476,338 |
|
1975 |
1,821,722 |
|
1976 |
1,407,669 |
|
1977 |
1,618,293 |
|
1978 |
1,639,536 |
|
1979 |
1,514,146 |
|
1980 |
1,979,134 |
|
1981 |
1,455,485 |
|
1982 |
1,961,193 |
|
1983 |
1,685,097 |
|
1984 |
1,662,404 |
|
1985 |
1,717,347 |
|
1986 |
1,566,266 |
|
1987 |
1,997,421 |
|
1988 |
1,488,928 |
|
1989 |
1,776,019 |
|
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 |
3,183,676 |
|
2011 |
3,410,141 |
|
2012 |
2,495,033 |
|
2013 |
3,509,178 |
|
2014 |
2,252,997 |
|
2015 |
3,403,752 |
|
2016 |
2,853,414 |
|
2017 |
3,151,405 |
|
2018 |
3,690,606 |
|
2019 |
3,125,165 |
|
2020 |
3,363,307 |
|
2021 |
3,324,371 |
|
2022 |
2,689,407 |
|
2023 |
2,629,863 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|
Based
on the Continental regions, the production of olive oil is still concentrated in Europe regions
with production around 1.65 million tons. Furthermore, the Africa and Asia
regions are in second position with production around 467 thousand tons and 410
thousand tons, respectively. Meanwhile, the Americas and Oceania region produced a minor output with 71
thousand tons, and 23 thousand tons, respectively.
The Statistical World’s Production of Olive Oil Based on Continental Region in 2023
|
Continental
Region |
Production
of Olive Oil in 2023 |
|
(tons) |
|
|
Africa |
467,500 |
|
Americas |
71,428 |
|
Asia |
410,392 |
|
Europe |
1,657,043 |
|
Oceania |
23,500 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
|
Specifically,
related to national aspects, based on the statistical data of FAO Corporate
Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) in 2026, there are some biggest country’s
producers of oil. Here are the 10 Biggest Country Producers of Olive Oil in
2023.
The Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Olive Oil
|
Ranks |
Country |
Production
of Olive Oil in 2023 |
|
(Tons) |
||
|
1 |
Spain |
854,001 |
|
2 |
Italy |
359,540 |
|
3 |
Türkiye |
234,515 |
|
4 |
Greece |
228,850 |
|
5 |
Tunisia |
210,000 |
|
6 |
Portugal |
175,529 |
|
7 |
Morocco |
120,200 |
|
8 |
Syrian Arab Republic |
89,257 |
|
9 |
Algeria |
81,300 |
|
10 |
Egypt |
40,000 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2026 |
||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Olive Oil Producers
1.Spain
Spain still become the world’s biggest country producer of Olive Oil in 2023,
contributing around 40% to 50% of the global supply of olive oil. Furthermore,
Spain also becomes the world's largest exporter of olive oil with around 60% of Spain's olive oil production destined for export. Culturally, Spanish people consume around 11.2 kg of olive oil per capita annually and it
makes them one of the highest consumers of
Olive Oil in the world. In addition, as a main driver of Spain's agricultural economy, Olive Oil still becomes the national
cooking oil because it is used in many Spanish Dishes, including gazpacho,
salmorejo, tortilla de patata, croquette, allioli.
Statistically, according to FAO Statistical Corporate
Database (FAOSTAT), the production of olive oil from this country reaches
854,001 tons. Geographically, there are some primary areas of olive production
in Spain. Andalusia, Catalonia, Castile-La Mancha, and Toledo province are some
of the main grove/ orchard areas of olive plants. 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.
With the PDO's status, it guarantees that olive oil has been prepared according
to the highest
quality standards and has characteristics that make it unique. In terms of
industrial aspects of olive oil in Spain, two main forces who manage and lead the olive oil
industry in Spain, namely the agricultural cooperatives and the multinational
companies. Dcoop (agricultural cooperative based in Andalusia) and Jaencoop
(Agricultural cooperative group based in the Jaén province) are two of the
biggest cooperatives in Spain which led the olive business in Spain. Meanwhile,
some companies which manage olive business in Spain, namely Deoleo, Acesur,
Borges International Group, Migasa.
2.Italy
Italy become the 2nd world’s biggest country
producer of olive oil in 2023. Statistically, based on the FAO Statistical
Database In 2026, the production of Italy’s olive oil reached 359,540 tons. Geographically, there
are some major areas in Italy which have a huge production of Olive oil. Apulia, Calabria, Sicily,
Campania, Abruzzo, Lazio, Toscana, and Umbria are some of the areas with the biggest
production of olive oil in Italy. In terms of genetic aspects, Italy has more
than 500 cultivars/ varieties of olive and some of the popular cultivars/ species planted in Italy, namely Coratina, Frantoio,
Moraiolo, Taggiasca, Nocellara del Belice. In many cuisines, Olive Oil still becomes the national cooking oil in Italy
and the olive oil commonly used in some dishes including parmigiana di
melanzane, ribollita, basil pesto, ragù napoletano. In terms of industrial
aspects of olive oil in Italy, there are some major companies who manage olive
oil business, namely Salov S.p.A. (Filippo Berio), Monini S.p.A., Colavita
S.p.A., Pietro Coricelli, Deoleo.
3. Türkiye
Türkiye is the 3rd world’s biggest country
producer of olive oil. In 2023,
the production of olive oil from Türkiye reached 234,515 tons.
Geographically, there are some main orchard regions of olive oil. 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 olives planted in Türkiye. Edremit (Ayvalık),
Memecik, Gemlik are some of the cultivars of olive plants cultivated in Turkey.
Commonly, the consumption of olive oil per capita in Türkiye reached 1.4 kg to
2.2 kg per person annually. In this country, Olive is used broadly in making of
some Turkish dishes, including hummus, baba ghanoush, and ezme, Zeytinyağlı
Taze Fasulye, Zeytinyağlı Yaprak Sarması, and Zeytinyağlı Enginar. In terms of
industrial aspects of olive oil in Türkiye, the olive oil industries are
managed by major cooperatives and companies. Marmarabirlik
and Tariş (Tariş Zeytin ve Zeytinyağı) are some of the leading
cooperatives in the olive oil business.
Meanwhile, some of the companies manage the
olive oil business in Türkiye, namely Bunge, Savola Group.
4.Greece
Greece become the 4th world’s biggest country
producer of olive in 2023. Based on the FAO Statistical Database in 2026, the
production of olive oil from Greece reached 228,850 tons in 2023. 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. Commonly, around 60% of domestic production
of harvested oil is exported to other nations. In terms of the quality, an
outstanding 80% of Greek olive oil is classified as Extra Virgin Olive Oil
(EVOO). In terms of industrial aspects, Minerva, Agrovim (Iliada),
Melissa-Kikizas S.A. (Terra Creta), Gaea are some of the companies in Greece which manage the olive oil business.
5.Tunisia
Tunisia become the 5th world’s biggest country
producer of olive oil. In 2023, the production of olive oil reached 210,000
tons. Despite as one of the world's largest country producers of olive oil, the
domestic consumption in Tunisia citizens is surprisingly low and has been
decreasing around 3 liters per person per year. About 88% of Tunisia's olive
oil is exported, primarily to European nations. Financially,
around 50% of Agricultural export income comes
from Olive Oil. Genetically, some of the olive plant cultivars/ varieties
cultivated in Tunisia are Chetoui, Sayali, Gerboui, Zalmati, Zarrari, and
Chemlali. Geographically, some of the olive oil plant can be found in several
regions in Tunisia, namely Monastir (Zarmdine), Sfax (Sidi Bouakkazine), Sidi Bouzid
(Adhla and Hania), Kaïrouan (Chbika), Zaghouane (Nadhour), Kasserine (Oued
eddarb), Mahdia (Bkalta), and Tataouine. In terms of industrial aspects, some
of the companies manages the olive oil business in Tunisia, including CHO
Group, COGIA SA (Compagnie Générale des Industries Alimentaires), and Bizerta
Agri Industry.
6.Portugal
Portugal became the 6th world’s biggest country producer of
olive oil. In 2023, the production of olive oil from Portugal reached 175,529 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 cultivars
planted in Portugal are Arbequina, Arbosana, Koroneiki, Galega olive,
Cobrançosa, Verdeal, and Madural. In this country, there are five popular 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.
7.Morocco
Morocco is the 7th world’s biggest country
producer of olive oil. Statistically, in 2023, the production of olive oil in
Morocco reach 120,200 tons. Geographically, in this country, there are some
regions of olive plant production. Marrakech, Fez, Meknes, and Casablanca are some main
regions of olive productions. In terms of genetic aspects, Picholine Marocaine,
Chemlali and Chetoui are some of the most
popular olive cultivars in Morocco, cultivating over 90% of Morocco's olive groves. In terms of industrial aspects, Lesieur
Cristal and Olea Capital are some of the companies managing olive oil
businesses in Morocco.
8.Syrian Arab Republic
Syrians become the 8th biggest producer of
olive oil. In 2023, statistically, the production of olives was around 89,257
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. Commonly, Olive oil still becomes a main pillar
of the Syrian diet, supporting the livelihoods of over 300,000 families with
consumption sits at roughly 2.6 kilograms per capita annually.
9.Algeria
Algeria became the 9th world’s biggest country producer of olive oil. In
2023, the production of olive oil reached 81,300 tons. In this country, there
are some olive cultivars that are grown in Algeria. These cultivars are
Azeradj, Bouricha, the Limli, and Chemla. Geographically, the Algerian olive
farming was mostly concentrated in the mountainous northern regions (such as
Kabylie and Béjaïa). Overall, in terms of its usage, average national
consumption of olive oil sits around 4 to 6 liters per capita.
10.Egypt
Egypt became the 10th world’s biggest country producer
of olive oil. In 2023, the production of olive oil reached 40,000.
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. Genetically, some of the most
popular olive plant cultivars planted in Egypt are
Picual, Koroneiki, Toffahi, and Aggizi.
Histogram Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Olive Oil in 2023
Table Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Olive Oil in 2023
Bibliography of 10 World’s Biggest Olive Oil Producers
FAO.
2026. Top 10 Country Production of Oil, olive, virgin 2023. Accessed via
https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/countries_by_commodity on January 3rd,
2026.