06 Jun

Viability of Timbercorp’s forests in doubt

The administrators of troubled agricultural projects manager Timbercorp say they have not yet determined if the company’s forestry projects are still viable, or insolvent like its olive and almonds projects. Timbercorp was placed in administration in April, with liabilities estimated at the time of $930 million. Mark Korda of administrator KordaMentha said on Thursday that […]

30 May

No recession for Olive Oil in UK

Britons with a taste for Mediterranean-style cooking are spending record amounts on olive oil. Sales have topped £150million a year for the first time. That is double the amount sold eight years ago and significantly more than the £90million spent on vegetable oil. Growing evidence of the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet is behind […]

29 May

Australia and US try to change olive oil standards

The Australian olive oil industry is teaming up with the United States to develop a new set of international olive oil standards. Dr Rodney Mailer, from the Australian Oils Research Laboratory, says the European International Olive Council’s standards are too restrictive and treat unique aspects of Australian oils as negative traits. He says Australian producers […]

25 May

For the love of olives in Texas

By Beverly Burmeier, Poor soil, high temperatures, and low water levels are all plentiful in central Texas. Not the usual growing conditions for a food crop, this combination just happens to be perfect for olive trees. So Jack Dougherty, former president of a computer company, bought a ranch near Wimberley and became the first person […]

21 May

Australian Olive industry says MIS collapses won’t hold it back

The Australian Olive Association says the demise of orchard managers Timbercorp and Great Southern does not spell the end of the olive industry. Managed investment schemes account for the majority of Australian olive production, and sparked the industry’s rapid growth over the past decade. The Olive Association’s Paul Miller says the industry is now big […]