25 Oct

U.S. Customs finds olive fruit flies in San Diego

  Olive fruit fly larvae were found on fresh olives that a passenger from Lebanon was trying to carry into San Diego International Airport, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Tuesday.   Agriculture specialists working at the airport on Oct. 4 found several olive fruit fly larvae on almost nine pounds of fresh olives […]

09 Apr

Olive oil protects against heart attack, stroke

Portuguese researchers have identified a vital component of olive oil that gives greatest protection from heart attack and stroke. Lead researcher Fatima Paiva-Martins from University of Porto has discovered an antioxidant called DHPEA-EDA that protects red blood cells from damage more than any other part of olive oil. “These findings provide the scientific basis for […]

02 Mar

South Australian olive growers to pay new levy

A new levy paid by South Australian olive growers will help promote and further develop the industry. From this harvest, growers will pay a $4 levy on each tonne of fruit they produce. Olives South Australia president Lisa Rowntree says it will increase by a dollar a year for the next three years to eventually […]

27 Apr

Origin of Olives in South Africa

In 1902, after completing his studies at Saint Illario Agricultural College in Genoa, Ferdinando Costa arrived in Cape Town to assist his brother Raphael, who had set up a successful nursery in Wynberg. After a few years, Ferdinando was able to obtain his own small piece of land opposite the new Fernwood Estate in Newlands […]

29 Feb

Health Benefits Key to Driving Olive Oil Sales Over $1 Billion by 2010

Marketable health benefits, along with a growing consumer interest in Mediterranean foods and unique regional flavor choices, are helping to drive an invigorated olive oil market in the U.S., which should surpass $1.3 billion by 2010, according to Olive Oil in the U.S., the latest market research from Packaged Facts. Packaged Facts projects that the […]