ABOUT
SA OLIVE
SA Olive is an association representing the common interests of the South African olive industry. SA Olive members consist of olive growers, olive oil producers, table olive producers, tree nurseries and olive importers. SA Olive is committed to supporting a healthy future, i.e. ensuring a healthy future for its members, healthy growth and development for the industry and a healthy lifestyle for all South Africans.
SA OLIVE
OBJECTIVES
To act as the national mouthpiece for the Olive Industry in SA.
To foster, encourage and safeguard the interests of members.
To collect, compare and distribute relevant information regarding the Olive Industry in general to members.
To render and/or obtain assistance for members by collective representation.
To deal with any matter that may be in the interests of members and the local Industry.
To liaise and co-operate with Government Departments, the Agricultural Unions and other allied bodies in the interests of the Olive Industry.
To assist in creating a positive climate in which members can conduct their marketing and promotional activities.
To do whatever is necessary and proper to facilitate the achievement of all of the objectives.
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Commercial & Marketing
Portfolios |
Finance & Governance |
Member Services, Data & Systems |
Research & Development |
Sustainability & Transformation |
Commercial & Marketing |
Quality & Certification |
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| Directors | Philip King (Vice Chair) Nick Wilkinson |
Nicolaas Roodt | Mike-Alec Kearney Gert van Dyk |
V Jooste (CEO) | Richard Allen (Chair) Jason de Beer Pieter du Toit Kelly White |
Richard Allen (Chair) |
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SA OLIVE
STATISTICS
South African Olive Oil in a Nutshell
95%
of South African olive oil is produced in the Western Cape.
95%
of all South African olive oil is extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).
South Africa is the 5th largest olive oil producer in the Southern Hemisphere.
South Africa is the largest olive oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa and the 6th largest producer in Africa.
1.5m
litres of SA olive oil are produced pa, of which more than 90% is consumed locally.
SA per capita consumption of olive oil is estimated at 80ml pa. (About the size of an espresso cup!).
Olive farming in South Africa is growing by around 20% pa, making olives the fastest growing agricultural sub-sector.
South African Olive Cultivars
Cultivar |
Amount |
|---|---|
| Frantoio |
28% |
| Mission |
21% |
| Coratina |
10% |
| Favolosa |
9% |
| Leccino |
6% |
| Kalamata |
6% |
| Manzanilla |
4% |
| Picual |
3% |
| Koroneiki |
3% |
| Other |
10% |
Market Growth
- In 2020, an estimated 2 400 hectares were dedicated to olive oil, representing a 70% increase since 2012. Similarly, dual table and oil hectares have grown by 52% over the same period.
- Based upon the rate at which new trees are being planted, olive farming is growing by a minimum 20% per annum, doubling in size every four to five years – making olives the fastest growing agricultural sub-sector.
- Between 2004 and 2016, SA olive oil production increased by 140%, all of which is currently EVOO. This is in line with worldwide consumption of olive oil, which has nearly doubled in the last two decades.
- Over the past 10 years, the land under olive cultivation has doubled in size from 1800 hectares to nearly 3700.
- The majority of South African olive farms are small: almost half of the 195 registered olive growers are farms of less than 5 ha.
- Around 1.5-2.0 million litres of local olive oil are produced each year, and a further 5-6 million litres of olive oil are estimated to be imported annually.
- While local production is entirely Extra Virgin, the same cannot be said for imported olive oils.
- In terms of table olives, around 1400 tonnes of olives are produced, and about the same volumes are imported each year.
- The bulk of SA olive oil imports are from Spain, followed by Italy, Portugal, and Greece.
- South Africa exports olive oil to neighbouring African countries, particularly Botswana and Namibia.
- Per capita consumption of olive oil is estimated at 0,08 litres per annum in South Africa. This is a minuscule amount compared with the 12-36 litres of European countries. However, it is an indication of the potential for future growth in demand for olive oil.
- As the industry continues to grow with the support of local consumers, South Africa’s reliance on imported olive oil and table olives is expected to decrease.
