The 150-year-old olive industry in Australia has seen rapid growth in the last 20 years, producing $80 million worth of high-end extra-virgin olive oil and top-quality table olives.

“The Australian olive industry has worked hard to get where it is today; and the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation – RIRDC – is proud to have supported it through our investments in R&D,” RIRDC Managing Director Dr Peter O’Brien said today.

Opening the Australian Olive Association’s Annual General Meeting at the Australian Olive Expo in Canberra this morning, Dr O’Brien said that the Australian olive industry was an excellent example of how new rural industries can find their place in the agricultural sector.

“The industry is well known as a new industry success story – everyone sees bottles of Australian olive oil in just about every supermarket, where fifteen years ago only imported product was found, and only a select group ever bought any,” Dr O’Brien said.

Part of this growth has been the result of identifying the industry’s knowledge needs, and investing in research and development to meet those needs.

“Together with the olive industry, RIRDC has invested in the research that has helped the industry get where it is today,” Dr O’Brien said.

“Today I am delighted to launch two practical results of the research that RIRDC has produced in partnership with the olive industry. Both are great examples of how our R&D program creates relevant knowledge that will assist in developing the strong, expanding olive industry,” DR O’Brien said

The Field Guide to Olive Pests, Diseases and Disorders in Australia is a handy, pocket-sized reference for farmers in identifying pests, diseases and disorders.

“Research has shown that there is a gap between what farmers think they know about pests and diseases, and what they actually know. This field-guide is a quick reference that growers can carry with them when they’re in their olive groves,” Dr O’Brien said.

The Olive Pruning DVD is designed to assist olive producers in understanding the principles of pruning olive trees under Australian conditions.

“The techniques are explained by Leandro Ravetti from Modern Olives, who is well known and respected for his in-depth knowledge and experience,” Dr O’Brien said.

Australian Olive Association President Mr Paul Miller said that the industry’s relationship with RIRDC has helped develop a world-class R&D program, and build a reputation as high-end producers of extra-virgin olive oil and table olives in a competitive international market.

“Fortunately RIRDC has been there when we needed them, and we are able to compete with subsidized industries, in a manipulated market, in an extraordinary way,” Mr Miller said.

For more information about the Field Guide to Olive Pests, Diseases and Disorders in Australia or the Olive Pruning DVD, visit www.rirdc.gov.au, call 02 6271 4160 or email publications@rirdc.gov.au

Media enquiries:
Martin Field – RIRDC Public Affairs Manager – tel - 02 6272 4735 / 0418 430 760, email - martin.field@rirdc.gov.au