Australia / NZ

Sep. 6, 2023

In Australia, Mediterranean Diet Costs Less than Alternatives, Study Finds

Researchers found Australians could save 28 Australian dollars per week by following the Mediterranean diet.

Aug. 31, 2023

Australian Producers Face Mixed Fortunes

Growers have had a bountiful olive harvest overall, but their oil yield was lower than average.

Jul. 31, 2023

Extreme Weather Batters NZ Growers, Causing Second-Consecutive Production Decline

Early frosts, heavy rainfall and anthracnose have resulted in a lower yield for New Zealand producers this year.

Jun. 27, 2023

New Zealand Producer Uses Brix Levels to Determine Ideal Harvest Moment

Unlike with grapes or other fruit, Ross Vintiner harvests olives when the sugar level falls, indicating that oil is accumulating and polyphenol content remains high.

May. 23, 2023

Backyard Growers Create Prize-Winning Olive Oil in Australia

Two Australian organizations are working to prevent olives growing in Melbourne from going to waste by milling combined batches and returning the oil to the community.

Apr. 17, 2023

New Zealand Growers' Hopes Not Washed Away by Heavy Rains

Industry officials predict a second-consecutive production decline in New Zealand following an excessively wet summer.

Jun. 15, 2022

Australians Build on A Good Harvest to Triumph in New York

Producers from Australia earned their third-highest number of awards at this year's World Competition.

Jun. 6, 2022

New Zealand Producers Enjoy Strong Showing at World Competition

Producers from New Zealand celebrated their success at the NYIOOC World Competition, earning their second-highest tally of awards.

Apr. 11, 2022

Australian Producers Expect Another Excellent Harvest

Producers attribute their optimism to good weather, plenty of workers and more olive trees coming into production.

Mar. 31, 2022

Farmers in New Zealand Optimistic Ahead of Harvest

New techniques, better pruning and benevolent weather are fueling big expectations for the upcoming olive harvest.

Mar. 2, 2022

Former Fighter Pilot Steers Loopline Olives to the World Stage

On New Zealand's North Island, Stephen Davies Howard has taken advantage of the Mediterranean climate to produce award-winning olive oils.

Dec. 22, 2021

Boundary Bend Co-Founder: Quality and Investment Are Key to Olive Oil’s Future

Rob McGavin said the industry needs to work together to succeed long-term, from technology-based solutions to emphasizing extra virgin olive oil’s health benefits.

Dec. 7, 2021

In Victoria, Taralinga Estate Celebrates Tradition While Embracing Innovation

Salvatore Tarascio started growing olives in Australia in 2015, 85 years after his grandfather first cultivated them in Sicily. Now he is one of the country’s top producers.

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Sep. 4, 2019

Australian Woman Pleads Guilty to Importing Plants Known to Carry Xylella

The chairwoman of the Australian Garlic Association pleaded guilty to ten charges after putting the agricultural sector at “great risk.”

Sep. 2, 2019

In Australia, Advocates Call for Improved Health Rating for Olive Oil

An independent report commissioned by the Australian government recommended that olive oil's health star rating should not be improved due to its saturated fat content. Opponents said the report misses the bigger health picture.

Sep. 7, 2018

Drought in Australia Portends Tough Season Ahead for Small Growers

While the overall sector is likely to remain largely unaffected, small growers on the eastern seaboard may bear the brunt of the drought.

Jul. 18, 2018

New Labeling Laws for Australian EVOO Producers

The laws are the result of consumer pressure following a hepatitis A outbreak in Australia in February 2015 that was linked to contaminated Australian-packaged frozen berries imported from Canada and China.

Jul. 5, 2018

New Zealand Olive Oil Producers Set for Record Year

Olive oil production is at a record high in New Zealand with the potential to double in the coming years.

Nov. 8, 2017

Cobram Estate's New Chef Wants to 'Set the Tone' for California's Olive Oil Culture

Kevin O'Connor has spent the last few months learning all he can about olive oil as the resident chef for the Australian brand that recently set up shop in the U.S.

May. 18, 2017

New Zealand Yields Down Due to Severe Weather

"We are late to begin (harvesting) by two weeks and I would say the crop is down in volume by at least a third possibly half in some groves." Anne Stanimiroff co-owner of the Rangihoua Olive Estate told Olive Oil Times.

Apr. 18, 2017

Boundary Bend Looks for 'Patient' Investors

Boundary Bend is looking for capital to fund an expansion that could increase volumes by as much as 50 percent.

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