Which Countries Are the Largest Producers and Exporters of Olive Oil?

farmedicoil
Sep 15, 2025
9 min read

Olive oil is a cornerstone of Mediterranean cuisine and a globally valuable commodity. The bulk of the world’s supply comes from just a few key countries, and much of it is exported to markets worldwide. In recent years Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Tunisia have led production, while Spain, Italy, Greece, Tunisia, and Portugal dominate exports. Here we examine the latest figures and trends in production and trade, highlighting the major players, their market shares, and how they compare.

Global Olive Oil Production – A Mediterranean Stronghold

Olive oil production is heavily concentrated around the Mediterranean basin. In 2022 the world produced roughly 2.7 million tonnes of olive oil[1]. This output has grown steadily over decades – tripling in the last 60 years[2] – driven by expanding groves and modern methods in traditional growing regions. The Mediterranean climate and centuries-old expertise give countries in southern Europe and North Africa a decisive edge. For example, the photo below shows an ancient olive tree in Spain thriving in dry soil. Such resilient trees in Spain, Greece, and Italy are well-suited to the warm, arid summers and mild winters of the region, which helps these countries consistently yield the largest harvests.

An olive tree in a Spanish grove, illustrating the drought-tolerant trees common in leading olive oil-producing regions. Mediterranean olive trees (like this one) thrive in hot, dry climates. These conditions – along with low disease pressure and deep-rooted varieties – allow Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey to generate the vast majority of the world’s olive oil. Together, these top producers account for around 90% of global output[3]. In 2022 the world harvest reached about 2.7 million tonnes[1], with Spain alone contributing roughly 24% of that[1].

Leading Olive Oil-Producing Countries

Several countries stand out as the world’s biggest olive oil producers. According to the International Olive Oil Council (IOC) and other sources, the top producers (2023/24 data) are:

· Spain – ~766,000 tons[4]

· Italy – ~289,000 tons[4]

· Turkey – ~210,000 tons[4]

· Tunisia – ~200,000 tons[4]

· Greece – ~195,000 tons[4]

· Portugal – ~150,000 tons[4]

Each of these nations has vast olive orchards and a long tradition of olive growing. The figures above (from IOC estimates) show that Spain’s production dwarfs the rest, followed by Italy and Turkey. Note that Tunisia, an African country, has also emerged as a major producer, often ranking in the top five[5].

Spain: The Olive Oil Giant

Spain is by far the world’s largest olive oil producer. Its annual output (over 700,000–800,000 tonnes in good years) is roughly a quarter of all global production[1]. Spanish production mainly comes from Andalusia in the south, especially Jaén province (often called “the World Capital of Olive Oil”). In an average season, Spain harvests more olives than any other country, thanks to its ideal climate and vast olive groves. With such volume, Spain exports far more oil than it consumes domestically. In fact, Spain typically sells well over half of its olive oil abroad, making it the #1 olive oil exporter (see below) as well as the top producer.

Italy: Tradition and Consumption

Italy is traditionally known for high-quality olive oil, and it is usually the second-largest global producer. In 2023/24 Italy made on the order of 300,000 tonnes[6]. However, Italy is also a massive consumer. With a population fond of olive-rich cuisine, Italy actually consumes more olive oil than any other country[3]. Per capita, Italians use about 13 L per year[7] (compared to Greece’s 24 L). Because domestic demand is so strong, Italy relies heavily on imports (mostly from Spain and other producers) to complement its output. Remarkably, Italy is simultaneously the world’s largest importer and exporter of olive oil[3]. It re-exports much of what it brings in, often after bottling or blending.

Greece: High Output and Highest Consumption

Greece is another major producer, with around 195,000 tonnes in 2023/24[4]. Although smaller than Spain or Italy, Greece has an intense focus on olive oil: it boasts the world’s highest per capita consumption (≈24 L/person/year[7]). The olive is deeply woven into Greek culture and economy, especially in regions like the Peloponnese. Notably, Greek production fluctuates based on weather – for example, Greece’s 2023/24 harvest fell sharply (down 49%) to 175,000 t[6]. Even so, Greece remains one of the top five producers globally.

Turkey: A Rising Mediterranean Producer

Turkey bridges Europe and Asia and has large olive-growing areas along its Aegean coast. With roughly 210,000 tonnes produced in 2023/24[4], Turkey is typically among the world’s top producers (often ranked 4th or 5th). Turkish production has become more important, especially when European production dips. However, much of Turkey’s production is consumed domestically – Turkey is also a big market for olive oil – so it exports a smaller share compared to its production volume.

Tunisia and Other Notable Producers

Tunisia is the North African standout. It produced around 200,000 tonnes in 2023/24[4], making it often the 3rd or 4th largest producer in some years. Olive trees cover roughly one-third of Tunisia’s arable land, reflecting the crop’s importance[8]. In fact, many analysts now list Tunisia among the top five global producers alongside Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey[5]. Over the long term, Tunisia’s output can be quite volatile (it hit 350,000 t in 2019/20 but fell to ~180,000 t by 2022/23[9]). Still, Tunisia is a powerhouse in olive cultivation. Other Mediterranean countries like Portugal, Morocco, Syria, and Algeria also contribute sizable amounts (tens of thousands of tonnes each), but remain well behind the top five.

A typical olive grove in the Mediterranean (Spain). Such plantations produce the olives that yield millions of tonnes of olive oil each year. Olive orchards are common in regions around the Mediterranean. The photo above shows an orderly grove in Europe’s olive belt. These plantations – found in Spain, Italy, Greece, and beyond – are the source of much of the world’s olive oil. As noted, Spain and Italy together produce over a million tonnes annually[4], underscoring their dominance.

Top Olive Oil Exporters

Production is one aspect; the other is trade. Global olive oil exports exceed $11 billion annually. A handful of countries supply most of the world’s export market. The leading exporters for 2023 were[10]:

· Spain – 36% of world exports (~$4.34 B)[10]

· Italy – 18.7% (~$2.20 B)[10]

· Greece – 10.7% (~$1.26 B)[10]

· Tunisia – 10.2% (~$1.20 B)[10]

· Portugal – 9.8% (~$1.15 B)[10]

These five countries alone account for roughly 85% of the value of all olive oil exports. Spain not only produces the most, it also exports the most – over a third of all international shipments. Italy, despite high domestic use, remains a major exporter (often selling Italian-labeled oil globally). Greece and Portugal each contribute around 10% of global exports. And Tunisia – the only African exporter on the list – supplies about 10% of worldwide exports[10]. (Other producers like Turkey, Syria, and Morocco export far less by comparison.)

Spain: Export King

Spain’s lead in exports mirrors its production advantage. Spanish oil commands global markets: it is shipped to most countries in Europe, the Americas, and beyond. In 2023, Spanish olive oil exports hit record levels (in value), reflecting both high output and strong demand[10]. Much of Spain’s oil is exported in bulk, but increasingly high-quality Spanish extra virgin is also in demand. Spain’s massive export volume means changes in its production or trade policies can sway global prices and supply.

Italy: Re-Exporter and Consumer Market

Italy’s export figure is interesting: Italy exports almost one-fifth of world olive oil value[10], even though it produces less than Spain. This is because Italy re-exports large amounts of imported oil. Many bottles labeled “Italian olive oil” are blends of Italian and foreign oils. Italy also has a huge home market – it imports from Spain, Tunisia, and others to satisfy domestic use. Indeed, Italy imported about 90% of Spain’s exports in one year[11]. The net effect is that Italy sits atop the supply chain as both a leading exporter and the world’s largest olive oil consumer[3].

Greece and Portugal: EU Exporters

Greece ships roughly 11% of global exports[10]. Although much Greek oil is eaten at home, Greece still sells a significant share abroad (especially to EU neighbors). Portugal – much smaller in output – punches above its weight in trade. Nearly all Portuguese oil is exported, with Portugal accounting for about 10% of world exports[10]. Greek and Portuguese oils often reach markets in the United States, Brazil, and throughout Europe, where they are prized for unique varietals.

Tunisia: North Africa’s Export Hub

Tunisia plays a dual role as producer and exporter. While its production (around 200,000 t) is smaller than Italy’s, Tunisia exports a huge fraction of what it makes (often 80–90%[12]). As noted, Tunisia is the fourth-largest exporter globally[10][5]. Its oil mostly goes to the European market (Italy, Spain, Portugal, France) in bulk. In fact, Tunisian olive oil helps fill gaps when European harvests are low[12]. Over the past decade, Tunisia has worked to improve quality and branding, but export volume remains concentrated: about 80–90% of its olive oil is sold abroad[12]. This export orientation makes olive oil critical to Tunisia’s economy (olive oil is ~40% of Tunisia’s agricultural exports[5]).

Olives on a hand-harvested branch in Tunisia. North African producers like Tunisia contribute significantly to global olive oil exports. The photo above shows a Tunisian olive harvest. It illustrates the Mediterranean origin of most export oil. Across North Africa and Southern Europe, millions of farmers hand-pick olives each year. These harvests are then processed and often shipped overseas. While Spain leads on volume, Tunisia is unique among exporters – it sends most of what it produces abroad[5][12].

Mediterranean farmers picking olives. Manual harvesting remains common in top producing countries. Olive harvesting is labor-intensive in many regions. As shown above, small crews carefully strip olives from trees. This traditional method helps ensure only ripe, intact fruit goes into the press. Such hands-on care is one reason Mediterranean oils have high quality. It also reflects why countries with large agricultural sectors (Spain, Greece, Italy, Tunisia, etc.) dominate production.

Production vs. Export: A Comparative Look

Putting production and exports side by side reveals interesting differences. Spain produces far more than it needs, so it exports roughly 60–70% of its output. In contrast, Italy produces only enough to cover part of its domestic use; it imports the rest and re-exports a large share. Greece sits in the middle – it produces a lot and consumes a lot, exporting what’s left. Tunisia produces less than Spain but sends almost everything abroad (over 80% of output[12]). A comparison of shares helps illustrate this:

· Production share (2022): Spain ~24% of world[1]; Italy ~12%; Greece ~9%; Turkey ~8%; Tunisia ~7%.

· Export share (2023): Spain 36%; Italy 18.7%; Greece 10.7%; Tunisia 10.2%; Portugal 9.8%[10].

Spain’s export share (36%) exceeds its production share (24%) because it imports little and sells abroad. Italy’s export share (18.7%) is higher than its production share (~12%) because of re-exports. Tunisia’s export share (~10%) exceeds its production share because it exports nearly all its oil[12]. These comparisons highlight which countries are net exporters versus net consumers.

Economically, these dynamics matter. For example, Spain’s fortunes often drive market prices: a bumper or poor Spanish harvest can swing global supply. Italy, on the other hand, influences demand: its imports and domestic consumption levels also affect global flows. Tunisia’s large export ratio makes it sensitive to EU tariffs and standards, as most Tunisian oil is destined for Europe.

Conclusion

In summary, the olive oil industry is dominated by a few Mediterranean giants. Spain stands at the top as the world’s largest producer and exporter, cultivating millions of hectares of olives. Italy, Greece, and Turkey follow as major producers, each with their own strong domestic markets. North Africa’s Tunisia is also a key player, both in production and in exports. On the export side, Spain leads with over one-third of global shipments, followed by Italy, Greece, Tunisia, and Portugal[10]. The tables below (from IOC and trade data) summarize these leading roles.

The chart below illustrates how production concentrates in the Mediterranean, with Spain producing several times more than any other country. Its exports similarly dwarf those of others. (Sources: IOC, FAOSTAT, international trade statistics[1][10].)

By understanding these country-by-country figures, consumers, culinary professionals, and investors can better grasp the global olive oil market. Quality olive oil largely comes from these same leaders, reflecting their combination of ideal climate, tradition, and scale. In a market where supply is tightly held by a few, changes in one country’s output or trade policy can ripple worldwide. Keeping an eye on Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Tunisia – and how much they produce and sell – is key to anticipating trends in the olive oil industry.

Sources: International Olive Oil Council data[2][13], FAOSTAT/UN[1][8], trade statistics[10][5], and related market reports[3].