Global consumption of olive oil has jumped by almost half (49%) over the last 25 years, a new study has found.
The figures emerge from analysis by Italian farmers lobby group Coldiretti, using the latest data from the International Olive Oil Council (Coi).
Overall, a total of 2.95 billion kilograms of olive oil were consumed in 2017, half of which was consumed in EU countries.
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Italy was the top consumer of olive oil, the data found, consuming a total of 557 million kilograms, followed by Spain, which consumed 470 million kilograms. The US is now the third biggest consumer of olive oil globally, with consumption of 315 million kilograms; consumption in the US has almost tripled (+174%) compared to 25 years ago.
Fuelling the global demand, according to Coldiretti, are the positive health effects associated with the consumption of olive oil. In Italy, nine families out of 10 consume olive oil every day, while in Japan, consumption is eight times higher than it was 25 years ago.
In the UK, consumption is up 247%, while in Germany, consumption was up 360%.
Consumption was also up in markets not associated with olive oil, with Brazil seeing a 313% rise, Russia seeing a 233% increase, and Canada posting a 229% increase.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
