Production volume of the leading Spanish olive oil companies in 2019

Olive trees have been grown and harvested around the Mediterranean Basin since time immemorial, turning the fruit of this tree into the golden liquid that constitutes even nowadays an important asset in the European economy. Spain, as one of the world’s largest olive oil producers, has made the industry one of its main agricultural engines of growth. Aceites del Sur-Coosur (ACESUR), based in the southern province of Seville, ranked as the leading company in the industry with approximately 68 million liters of domestic bottled oil in 2019.

Spain: paradise for olive oil lovers and the olive oil business

The world is projected to produce up to 3.1 million metric tons of olive oil during the 2018/2019 season, slightly lower than the results of the previous year. Europe generates most of the world’s olive oil, and Spain plays an important role in its production. Of the 3.26 million metric tons produced worldwide in 2018, Spain contributed 1.25 million metric tons, which accounts for over 38 percent of the total global production of olive oil. The exports of olive oil registered a record high in 2017, reaching a value of over 3.9 billion euros.

The profile of the Spanish olive oil consumer

Nationwide, the average Spaniard shopped for olive oil at supermarkets in 2017, with nearly 50 percent of olive consumers in this country choosing this distribution channel over other type of stores. In terms of expenditure, Spaniards spent on average three euros per liter on their olive oil – although the price can vary greatly depending on the distribution channel, with discount shops featuring the cheapest olive oil price per liter in 2017. Although Spaniards often use their olive oil for many of their dishes, olive oil consumption experienced a downward trend during the last years, with the average person intaking 7.5 kilograms of the golden liquid in 2017.