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The olive has always played a key role in the development of commerce in the
Mediterranean cultures. Today it is a crop of major economic importance in many
countries throughout the world.
The olive tree is grown around the world. Olive trees originated from a dry,
subtropical climate but are well suited to extreme environmental conditions
such as drought and high temperatures. Although the olive requires aerated
soil, it can adapt itself to a wide range of different soil types and
temperatures. The map above shows the climatic range of where the olive
tree is grown.
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Over 1 billion olive trees grow on 6 of 7 continents in 20 countries around the
world.
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AFRICA: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia
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ASIA: Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey
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AUSTRALIA: Australia
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EUROPE: Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, France and Yugoslavia
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NORTH AMERICA: United States (California - Arizona) and Mexico
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SOUTH AMERICA: Argentina
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Over 15 million acres of olives are planted worldwide. Ninety percent of those
border the Mediterranean.
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The annual olive harvest is nearly 10 million tons. Over 1 million tons
are processed as table olives, and the balance is pressed for olive oil.
United States
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California produces nearly all the olives in the United States; over 34,000
acres.
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Manzanilla olives represent over 70% of the olives grown here. Other varieties
are Sevillano, Mission, Ascolano and Barouni. Most olives become the California
black ripe olives.
Spain
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Spain is the world's largest exporter of table olives. The majority of its
exports are the Spanish-style pimento-stuffed green olives.
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The varieties grown in Spain are Manzanilla, Hojiblanca and Gordal. Manzanillas
produce the best tasting table olive, while Hojiblancas are used primarily for
olive oil production and make marginal quality table olives. Gordals are known
as Queen olives.
Greece
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Greece grows more than 1,500,000 acres of olives.
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Greek olives include Konservolia, or Natural black olives, and Kalamata, which
are allowed to ripen on the tree until their skin turns purple black.
Morocco
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The olive is the most predominant fruit tree in Morocco.
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Morocco grows Picholine Marocaine and Zitoun olives, and they are used in both
table olives and olive oil.
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