Double in Olive Oil Production in Sunny Portugal

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Portugal has a long and interesting history regarding their remarkable olive groves. The olives and olive oil in Portugal dates back to the Bronze Age. They are proud to grow, cultivate and export these amazing products all around the world. Over the last 20 years Portugal has doubled its olive production making this country the top grower and exporter in the world. Although the number of olive presses has in fact decreased, production has continued to rise. The popularity of Portuguese olives is thought to be so great due to their distinctive and delicious taste.

In 1990 there were only 1000 olive presses in the country, although there were so few they were expected to produce over 26,000 tons of produce. However, numbers have decreased again, and today there are just over 500 recorded olive presses in the country.  The olive oil production however has soared, and is at a record high of 68,000 tons a year. The country continues to be able to produce such a vast amount of olive oil due to the modern technologies applied to the presses. The presses that are used today are modern, and capable of dealing with mass amounts of olives every day.

Olive oil production in Portugal continues to rise, with no signs of getting smaller. The Ministers in the country want to continue growing this profitable industry. They invested over 5 million euros to update and modernize the remaining old style olive presses. Although Portugal exports too many countries, they want to ensure that in future years their top quality olive oil can be bought in every country around the world. They want to grow more olive groves ensuring that there are always enough to produce their incredible olive oil.

The olive groves in Portugal will remain fertile for thousands of years, with one tree in the Algarve reported to be over 2000 years old. There are seven distinct regions that the olive trees are grown in, ensuring that only the best olives are used. Even the table olives that are eaten all over Portugal are of the best quality. No matter if the olives are to be used in the cuisine in Portugal, or exported to other countries they always offer a unique taste. Olives in Portugal are as important to daily life as water or wine. You will always see them in homes and restaurants, and people of all ages enjoy eating them.

Portugal grows all varieties of olives, and although the black olives are the most popular, you can find the others easily.  The olive oil that is produced in Portugal is made in different grades, with extra virgin being the best, and most widely used.  The Portuguese use olive oil in the same way that other countries use butter, they soak food in it, rub it on meat and eat it directly from a bowl with bread.  Although olive oil is extremely high in fat, it is the best type of fat to consume. With the support and financial investment that the Portuguese ministers have devoted, the olive oil businesses will continue to grow. This will ensure that Portugal remains top of their field, for exporting their amazing olives and olive oils.


This story was written by the Algarve property team here in Portugal. For further information on this story, or if you are looking for Property in Portugal, contact the Portugal property team via email at: info@portugalproperty.com or call free on 0800 014 8201

Published in: Portuguese Life