Italy has become the world’s leading consumer of olive oil

At the end of last year Italy became the largest consumer of olive oil in the world with an indicator of 410 thousand tons. Such data follows from the monitoring of the European Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the International Olive Council.

At the same time, according to a study conducted by the Pieppoli Institute, the cost of olive oil has more than doubled in recent months against the background of a record low olive harvest, rising prices of energy and other resources, as well as due to increased demand in the global market.

Experts have estimated that every third resident of Italy has already reduced the use of this product, and almost half of those surveyed (45%) have switched to cheaper oils. However, the country still remains the world leader in olive oil consumption.

In contrast, demand for the product is growing in the US. In 2023, the country became the second in the world ranking (375 thousand tons).

“It would not surprise me if the U.S. becomes the largest global consumer by 2030,” said Joseph R. Profaci, executive director of the NAOOA association.

Spain, which dropped to third place, finished last year at 300,000 tons.

Tags: Italy, olive oil