Greek olive oil market faces low prices and export competition

The Greek olive‑oil market remains in a stagnant state, with domestic sales limited and retail prices for extra‑virgin olive oil ranging between €3.40 and €5 per kilogram. Shelf prices for the premium product sit at €11‑14 per litre, reflecting a 45 % rise over the past two years. Export values fell 17 % in the first four months of the year to €1.801 billion, driven by a 12 % drop in price and an 8 % reduction in volume.

Increasing competition from non‑EU producers, especially Tunisia, is adding pressure. Tunisian exports reached 327 000 tons by May 31, a 79 % annual increase, with Spain and Italy absorbing most of the shipment. This surge threatens to create excess supply that could depress European prices.

At the 123rd session of the International Olive Council, Greece successfully blocked a technical proposal that would have excluded the Koroneiki monovarietal olive oil from the market, preserving a key segment that accounts for about 60 % of the country's olive acreage.

Greek olive‑oil production is stabilising at 200‑230 000 tons, with 75‑80 % of the output exported. Export value exceeds €1.2 billion annually, primarily to Italy, which takes 60‑70 % of the bulk shipments, while Germany, the United States and Canada see yearly growth of around 12 %.