The Economic Reality Behind Olive Oil

It is well known that farmers across Europe face difficult financial conditions. Rising inflation, volatile markets and the environmental crisis make it increasingly difficult for them to stay afloat. A European Union report specifically states that the average farmer’s income has fallen by more than 12% since 2009.

Several factors contribute to this situation. Among the most notable are labour costs, with workers’ daily wages now reaching €80, and the low prices at which traditional producers sell their olive oil. These prices average around €5 per kg and reached an all-time low of €3.58 per kg in 2024. Forecasts for 2026 suggest that prices could fall even further.

This means that producers who use traditional growing methods, along with their families, can sometimes earn as little as €5,000 per year, due to the higher costs and lower yields associated with traditional cultivation. Meanwhile, consumers pay multiples of what the producer earns for the same olive oil, largely due to the way the industry is structured.

This is not how I want to run things

But this is not how I want to run things. I am cutting out intermediaries who sell adulterated olive oil at inflated prices and establishing a direct connection between the consumer and the producer. This means producers will receive a fair and stable price, without having to worry about market fluctuations.

Meanwhile, I will take care of everything related to bottling, testing, shipping and delivery, further reducing the burden on farmers and allowing them to focus on what they do best: producing high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil using traditional and natural methods.