Olives
Fruit Farming in South Africa
In South Africa, olives are handharvested. This ensures less bruising, better selection and excellent quality oil.
South African olive producers focus on premium quality products, such as extra virgin olive oil and diversify their product range with value-added olive oil products, such as olive tapenades and skincare.
Olive farming in South Africa is mainly for the production of olive oil, although about two-thirds of South Africa’s oil requirements are imported, mostly from Spain.
The most widely planted olive variety in South Africa is Frantoio, at 749 ha, although the plantings are reducing in favour of other varieties, such as Coratino and FS18. The olive variety Mission is the second most prolific variety in South Africa with 659 ha, which is used for both oil and table olive production.
By Marinda Louw
Olive oil is extracted from the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea), which is native to countries around the Mediterranean Sea....
moreThe olive oil industry is still very small and can only supply in about a third of South Africa’s requirements, yet we export some product to neighbouring countries....
moreSouth Africa produces high quality, but relatively low volumes of olive oil, barely enough to satisfy a third of local demand....
moreOlives are versatile little fruit, are used to make a variety of value-added products, apart from producing olive oil - the main olive-relate product in South Africa....
moreOlive oil is produced from whole-pressed olives. Olive trees are naturally found around the Mediterranean area where the winters are mild and summers long, dry and warm....
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