Olive oil remains a cornerstone of Mediterranean cuisine, but production levels and challenges vary widely across the region. Croatia, for instance, is emerging as a small yet fast-growing player in the olive oil sector. In the 2022/23 season, it produced around 5,100 tons of olive oil, with olive grove areas expanding by an impressive 75% since 2000. This growth signals promising potential, despite the challenges that come with the predominance of small farms, which can limit the adoption of large-scale sustainable practices.

Greece holds the position of the third-largest producer within the European Union, with an annual output of approximately 345,000 tons. Most of this production comes from the Peloponnese, followed closely by Crete and Western Greece. However, the industry here faces hurdles in the form of insufficient specialized training on circular business practices, which slows progress toward sustainability.

Italy remains a global olive oil leader, producing roughly 240,900 tons annually. The bulk of this production is concentrated in the southern regions of Puglia, Calabria, and Sicily, which together account for more than 70% of the country’s output. Nonetheless, the sector is challenged by the small size of many olive mills, making it difficult and costly to invest in modern extraction technologies necessary for increased efficiency and sustainability.

Portugal’s olive oil sector has experienced significant modernization and growth, reaching production levels of over one million tons in 2024. The Alentejo region alone is responsible for nearly 87% of the country’s olive oil. Still, the high investment costs related to sustainability measures continue to slow down the transition to greener farming practices.

Spain, as the world’s largest olive oil producer, boasts a production volume of around 665,800 tons during the 2022/23 season. With 2.75 million hectares of olive groves mainly located in Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Extremadura, Spain leads the way in production. Yet, the sector is hindered by complex regulations and a fragmented market structure, which create obstacles to fully embracing circular economy principles.

Despite these challenges, the future looks promising as these Mediterranean countries seek to adopt more sustainable and circular business models. Projects like CIRCOLIVE, funded by the European Union, are helping drive this transition by promoting circular economy skills, fostering innovation, and encouraging the valorization of waste and by-products throughout the olive oil value chain.

Together, these efforts aim to transform the olive oil industry into a more sustainable, efficient, and environmentally responsible sector capable of meeting both current and future demands.