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The olive sector, a long-standing commitment for CIHEAM Zaragoza
CIHEAM > AGENDAS > The olive sector, a long-standing commitment for CIHEAM Zaragoza
  • Raúl Compés, Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza, stresses the Institute's long commitment to the olive sector at the International Olive Council's headquarters in Madrid (Spain)
  • CIHEAM Zaragoza's training activities in olive growing and oil technology contribute to build capacities and foster cooperation in the Mediterranean region

CIHEAM took part as an observer in the 118th session of the IOC Council of Members held on 23 November 2023 at the organisation's headquarters in Madrid (Spain).

At the gathering, Compés recalled CIHEAM's Zaragoza long standing commitment to the olive sector and the strategic alliance between CIHEAM and the IOC. "In addition to observers, we have a close and strategic relationship with the International Olive Council", stated. "CIHEAM Zaragoza International Master's Programme in olive growing and oil technology is training some of the world's top technicians", added about the master jointly organised by CIHEAM Zaragoza, the IOC and other Spanish institutions (Universidad de Córdoba, Junta de Andalucía, CSIC and Fundación de Patrimonio Comunal Olivarero).

As he shared with the heads of delegation and high-ranking officials of the IOC’s Council of Members, this Master's Programme and other IOC-joint activities addressed to professionals from the olive sector make a substantial contribution to CIHEAM Zaragoza's mission of building capacities and foster cooperation in the Mediterranean region.

This training alliance between CIHEAM Zaragoza and the IOC dates back to 1995 when the International Master's Programme in olive growing and oil technology was launched in the University of Córdoba. Since then, other training activities have followed both in Spain (advanced courses on olive oil marketing strategies; integrated production of olive crops; monitoring and surveillance of olive pathogens; olive growing and climate change; efficient water use in olive groves in a context of climate change) as well as in Tunisia (advanced course on olive orchard management in rainfed conditions) or Morocco (advanced course on olive oil marketing strategies).

Because of its strategic value for the economy of all Mediterranean countries, the olive plays a central role in many of our training and research activities.

Raúl Compés, Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza

A fundamental pillar of the Spanish agri-food system

The olive oil sector is a fundamental pillar of the Spanish agri-food system:

✔️ Spain is the world's leading producer of olive oil, accounting for 70% of EU production and 45% of world production (MAPA).

✔️ Spain is the world's leading exporter of olive oil with more than 150 destination countries (MAPA).

✔️ Spanish exports of olive oil reached 1 068 029 tonnes in the 2021/2022 crop year for an estimated value of €3.905 billion, placing it in first place in the UE followed by Italy, with 357 832 tonnes and €1.711 billion; Portugal, with 253 735 tonnes and €893.7 million; and Greece, with 137 180 tonnes and €571.9 million (IOC).

✔️ More than 350,000 farmers are dedicated to olive growing in Spain and generates more than 32 million daily wages per season (MAPA).

✔️ Olive groves cover 2.75 million hectares in Spain (MAPA).