10 World’s Biggest Producers of Olive Fruits- According to FAOSTAT, there are 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Olive Fruits in 2021. These countries have huge production of Olive Fruits. Functionally, Olive fruits can be processed mostly into olive oil, meanwhile few of them are used as table olives.
Based on biological aspects, taxonomically, According to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), Olive can be classified into Subdivision: spermatophytes; Class: Magnoliopsida; Superorder: Asteranae; Order: Lamiales; Family: Oleaceae; Genus: Olea L.; Species: Olea europaea L. Due to its classification into oleacea family, this plant has close relationship with some plants, including Jasminum species, Chionanthus L., Syringa vulgaris, Dimetra craibiana, and others.
World’s Harvested Areas, Production, and Yield of Olive Fruits From 1980 to 2021
| Years | World’s Harvested Areas | World’s Production of Olive Fruits | Yield / Productivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Hectares) | (Tons) | (Tons/ hectare) | |
| 1980 | 5,129,301 | 11,217,525 | 2.19 |
| 1981 | 5,999,445 | 8,078,302 | 1.35 |
| 1982 | 5,952,702 | 11,058,712 | 1.86 |
| 1983 | 6,005,443 | 9,283,618 | 1.55 |
| 1984 | 5,985,471 | 9,577,005 | 1.60 |
| 1985 | 7,172,665 | 9,875,913 | 1.38 |
| 1986 | 7,197,641 | 9,217,988 | 1.28 |
| 1987 | 7,204,803 | 11,433,059 | 1.59 |
| 1988 | 7,244,759 | 9,079,745 | 1.25 |
| 1989 | 7,295,407 | 10,513,144 | 1.44 |
| 1990 | 7,409,538 | 9,023,906 | 1.22 |
| 1991 | 7,432,408 | 12,811,899 | 1.72 |
| 1992 | 7,478,676 | 10,926,590 | 1.46 |
| 1993 | 7,604,639 | 10,929,163 | 1.44 |
| 1994 | 7,656,930 | 11,473,084 | 1.50 |
| 1995 | 7,770,439 | 10,210,862 | 1.31 |
| 1996 | 7,994,527 | 15,457,161 | 1.93 |
| 1997 | 7,807,932 | 15,101,144 | 1.93 |
| 1998 | 8,000,927 | 14,844,709 | 1.86 |
| 1999 | 8,313,419 | 14,083,780 | 1.69 |
| 2000 | 8,351,778 | 15,654,217 | 1.87 |
| 2001 | 8,441,532 | 15,334,345 | 1.82 |
| 2002 | 8,463,525 | 15,965,256 | 1.89 |
| 2003 | 8,825,139 | 18,463,929 | 2.09 |
| 2004 | 9,110,605 | 18,051,285 | 1.98 |
| 2005 | 9,188,091 | 15,965,113 | 1.74 |
| 2006 | 9,252,566 | 18,713,075 | 2.02 |
| 2007 | 9,354,887 | 16,979,435 | 1.82 |
| 2008 | 9,460,578 | 17,781,851 | 1.88 |
| 2009 | 9,659,650 | 19,022,164 | 1.97 |
| 2010 | 9,975,559 | 20,626,352 | 2.07 |
| 2011 | 10,067,577 | 21,304,445 | 2.12 |
| 2012 | 10,288,393 | 17,877,752 | 1.74 |
| 2013 | 10,265,077 | 22,067,400 | 2.15 |
| 2014 | 10,163,976 | 16,335,792 | 1.61 |
| 2015 | 10,113,116 | 20,873,698 | 2.06 |
| 2016 | 10,301,477 | 20,048,764 | 1.95 |
| 2017 | 9,759,113 | 21,362,306 | 2.19 |
| 2018 | 11,977,248 | 24,584,846 | 2.05 |
| 2019 | 10,394,935 | 21,627,587 | 2.08 |
| 2020 | 12,761,192 | 23,729,119 | 1.86 |
| 2021 | 10,338,179 | 23,054,311 | 2.23 |
| Source :FAOSTAT, 2023 | |||
As one of the world’s oldest fruit trees grown by human beings, the still becomes one of the most needed plants. It can be seen the demand of fruit to fulfil human consumptions. Statistically, from time to time, the world’s production of Olive Fruits has been increased from 1980 to 2021. In 1980, the world’s production of olive fruits achieved 11 million tons with harvested areas around 5.1 million hectares (ha). Meanwhile in 2021, the world’s production of Olive Fruits has become 23 million tons with harvested areas around 10 million hectares (ha). Furthermore, the World’s Yield of Olive fruits relatively stable in 1.2- 2.3 tons / hectare (ha).
Production of Olive Fruits Based on Continent
| Continent | Production of Olive Fruits in 2021 |
|---|---|
| (Tons) | |
| Africa | 4,144,446 |
| Americas | 773,720 |
| Asia | 3,318,589 |
| Europe | 14,701,595 |
| Oceania | 115,962 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | |
Particularly, based on the continent, the main areas of olive fruit have spread into several regions. Europe is the biggest region of olive fruit production with output around 14 million tons. Furthermore, Africa and Asia are the next biggest producer after Europe with output of olive fruit around 4.1 million tons and 3.2 million tons, respectively. Oceania also produce 115 thousand tons and America produce 773 thousand tons.
Specifically, there are 10 World’s Biggest Producer of Olive Fruits based on Countries in 2021. Here are the rank of biggest country’s producers of Olive Fruit. All of the Data was obtained from FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2021.
The Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Olive Fruits
| Rank | Country | Production of Olive Fruits in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | Spain | 8,256,550 |
| 2 | Italy | 2,270,630 |
| 3 | Türkiye | 1,738,680 |
| 4 | Morocco | 1,590,504 |
| 5 | Portugal | 1,375,750 |
| 6 | Egypt | 976,063 |
| 7 | Algeria | 704,619 |
| 8 | Tunisia | 700,000 |
| 9 | Syrian Arab Republic | 566,043 |
| 10 | Saudi Arabia | 382,105 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | ||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Olive Fruits
1.Spain
Spain is the biggest producer of Olive fruits in 2021. According to FAOSTAT, the production of Olive fruits from Spain reached 8,256,550 tons. Geographically, in Spain, Andalusia is the main growing region of Olive (Sousa et al., 2019). In Andalusia, there are Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) of Andalusian olive oil. PDOs are geographical regions, recognized by official standards, in which certain foods with special characteristics related to the region or area are produced (Sousa et al., 2019). These areas distribute in (1) Sierra de Cádiz (SCA,31,500 ha); (2) Antequera (AN, 75,000 ha); (3) Baena (BA, 37,532 ha); (4) Montoro-Adamuz (MA, 53,126ha); (5) Priego (PR, 28,628 ha); (6) Lucena (LU, 72,438 ha); (7) Poniente de Granada (PG, 71,000 ha); (8)Montes de Granada (MG, 56,000 ha); (9) Sierra de Cazorla (SCZ, 31,500 ha); (10) Sierra de Segura (SS,38,819 ha); (11) Sierra Mágina (SM, 61,000 ha); and (12) Estepa (ES, 40,000 ha) .
2.Italy
Italy is the 2nd biggest producer of Oolive fruits in 2021. Statistically, the production of Olive fruits reached 2,270,630 tons. Geographically, in Italy, Based on Olio Officina Magazine, the main growing area of olive distributes in the Apulia region, which accounts for 45% of the national olive growing area, followed by Calabria (19%); Sicily (10%); Campania (7%), Lazio (5%), Tuscany and Sardinia (3% respectively), Basilicata and Umbria (2%), respectively.
3.Türkiye
Türkiye also has huge production of Olive fruits in 2021. According to FAOSTAT, the production of Olive Fruits from Türkiye achieved 1,738,680 tons. Geographically, in Turkiye, there are some regions of Olive production. These areas include Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean, and Southeast Anatolian (Işk et al., 2011).
4.Morocco
Morocco is next biggest producer of olive fruits in 2021. Statistically, in 2021, Morocco can produce of olive fruits around 1,590,504 tons. Geographically, based on International Olive Council, in Morrocco, the main growing areas of olive are located in Fez-Mequínez with total olive areas around 346 thousand hectares (ha), Marrakesh-Safi (215 thousand hectare(ha)), Tánger-Tetuán-Alhucemas (162 thousand hectare (ha), Oriental (122 thousand hectare (ha).
5.Portugal
Portugal also becomes one of the world’s biggest producers of olive fruits in 2021. Based on FAOSTAT, the production of Olive Fruits from Portugal reached 1,375,750 tons. Geograhically, according to eComercio Agrario, in Portugal, the growing areas of Olive has Spread into some regions namely Alentejo, Tras-os-Montes, Beira Interior, and Ribatejo e Oeste. Genetically, there are some predomate varieties of Olive in Portugal. These varieties include Alentejana, Arbequina, Arbosana, Cobrançosa, Galega and Koroneiki and Cordovil.
6.Egypt
Egypt is the 6th biggest producer of olive fruits in 2021. According to FAOSTAT, the production of Olive fruits from Egypt reached 976,063 tons. Genetically, there are some varieties of olive that cultivated in Egypt. Some of them are Toffahi and Egazy that used for table olive, Picual and Manzanillo (table olive and oil extracting) while Kroniaki and Chemlali (olive oil production) (Samra et al., 2009).
7.Algeria
Algeria also has huge production of olive fruit in 2021. Based on the FAOSTAT, the production of Olive fruits from Algeria reached 704,619 tons. In Algeria, Genetically, there are some cultivars of olive that planted in Algeria. Some of them are Tefahi, Gelb Elfarroudj, Chemlal, Manzanilla, and Zebboudj (Boussahel et al., 2020)
8.Tunisia
Tunisia is the 8th World’s biggest producer of Olive Fruit in 2021. According FAOSTAT, the production of Olive Fruits from Tunisia reached 700,000 tons. Geographically, in Tunisia, there are some growing regions of olive. Some of them are Sahel, Sfax, and Medenine (Gargouri et al., 2012).
9.Syrian Arab Republic
Syria is the 9th biggest producer of Olive Fruit in 2021. According to FAOSTAT, the production of Olive Fruits from Syrian Arab Republic achieved 566,043 tons. Geographically, based on Sayotama Initiative report, in Syria, there are some growing regions of olive. Some of them are located in the governorates of Idlib, Aleppo, Lattakia, and Tartous.
10. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the 10th World’s biggest producer of Olive Fruit in 2021. Commonly, the production of Olive Fruits from Saudi Arabia reached 382,105 tons. In Saudi Arabia, one of the main areas of olive growing regions is located in Al-Jouf region. Furthermore, some of the planted cultivar in Saudi Arabia are Sorani, improved Nibali and Spanish.
Bibliography of 10 World’s Biggest Producers of Olive Fruits
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