The olive oil sector
Catalonia produces high quality olive oil protected by various designations of origin: Les Garrigues, Siurana, Baix Ebre-Montsià, Terra Alta and Empordà.
These olive oils stand out for their flavour, aroma and low acidity – qualities that are guaranteed by using top-class olives and mechanical production techniques that preserve the health and taste characteristics of the fruit.
Producers have researched and experimented to select the best olive trees with the utmost quality. Extra virgin olive oil falls into the premium category. This is a cooking oil with exceptional characteristics in terms of both health and gastronomy, as it is considered to be fundamental for a healthy diet and is also highly flavoursome.
Industry
In Catalonia, 113,000 hectares, or 14% of arable land, are used to grow olive trees, providing the raw material for an industry with potential: processing, packaging and marketing olive oil, accounting for almost 6% of agri-food turnover in Catalonia.
The most common variety of olive for oil processing is Arbequina, one of the most prized on international markets. Catalan companies also market other oils and blends of other varieties, such as Empeltre, Morruda, Sevillenca, Farga, Argudell, Corivell and Verdal. All varieties of olive produce excellent virgin oils, each with their own taste and aroma characteristics.
Extra virgin olive oil falls into the premium category. This is a cooking oil with exceptional characteristics in terms of both health and gastronomy, as it is considered to be fundamental for a healthy diet and is also highly flavoursome.
The most common variety of olive for oil processing is Arbequina, one of the most prized on international markets. Catalan companies also market other oils and blends of other varieties, such as Empeltre, Morruda, Sevillenca, Farga, Argudell, Corivell and Verdal. All varieties of olive produce excellent virgin oils, each with their own taste and aroma characteristics.
NEWS FROM SECTOR OLIVE OIL
11.30.20
The olive oil sector in Catalonia: 347 companies, 1,500 workers and € 863M in annual turnover
Catalonia currently has 347 olive oil companies with a combined turnover of € 873 million and 1,459 employees. These data come from the report, prepared by ACCIÓ and Prodeca, that has been presented coinciding with World Olive Day.
11.27.20
The Catalan food companies, at the online edition of the Foodex Saudi 2020 with Prodeca
10 Catalan food companies have participated with Prodeca in the Top Food Suppliers from Catalonia, Spain webinar organized during the online edition of the Foodex Saudi. The webinar was attended by 40 professionals from the import, distribution, retail and Horeca industry from Saudi Arabia.
11.27.20
The Agriculture and Foreign Action ministries incorporate food commercial managers in strategic markets
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, Teresa Jordà, and the Minister of Foreign Action, Institutional Relations and Transparency, Bernat Solé, signed an agreement on November 25 for the incorporation of specific commercial managers for the food sector in strategic markets through the Delegations of the Generalitat.