Verona, 16 January 2026 – Italian olive oil production is shaping up to reach 300,000 tonnes, with an increasingly strong contribution from southern Italy. According to the analysis of the Veronafiere–SOL Expo Observatory, based on SIAN data ahead of the upcoming edition of the exhibition (Veronafiere, 1–3 March), just weeks before the end of the olive oil production campaign, Italian mills and refineries have already recorded 267,000 tonnes of oil, with an overall yield of 14.98%, in line with the historical average. If confirmed, these figures would see Italy close the season with an estimated +20% increase in volumes compared to last year, bucking the trend among other European producing countries.
Spain is expected to see a slight contraction in production (between –5% and –10%), while Greece and Portugal are forecast to experience more significant declines (between –15% and –20%). Southern Italy accounts for 90% of national production, with Apulia leading the way. With 135,000 tonnes, the region alone represents 50% of Italian olive oil production, followed by Sicily (40,000 tonnes, 15%) and Calabria (38,000 tonnes, 14%).
In terms of productivity, average oil yields at mills were generally two percentage points lower in northern Italy compared to the South. The highest yield was recorded in Liguria (18.53%), while the lowest was observed in Piedmont (10%).
While production remains solid, sales in large-scale retail (GDO) are under pressure. According to December Nielsen data, volumes fell by 26% year-on-year, largely due to the resilience of the average price of Italian extra virgin olive oil, which stood at €11.21 per litre, slightly up on 2024. By contrast, EU extra virgin olive oil experienced a sharp price drop, from €9.74 per litre in 2024 to €7.32 per litre in 2025. With the price gap between Italian and EU oils having doubled, only one in four Italian consumers chose to change purchasing habits by returning to EU oil blends. Overall, the extra virgin olive oil market in large-scale retail is worth €1.6 billion, with over one quarter (€413 million) accounted for by Made in Italy products.
As the olive oil season draws to a close, SOL Expo continues to focus on quality and is preparing for the 24th edition of the Sol d’Oro International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition, which will take place in Verona from 18 to 24 February. A global benchmark, Sol d’Oro is a fully blind, impartial competition—an excellence showcase where experts, producers and enthusiasts come together to discover, celebrate and promote the authenticity of extra virgin olive oil. One month before the registration deadline, the competition has already received samples from Spain, Turkey, Greece and Portugal, across the categories “Extra Virgin” (“Light Fruity”, “Medium Fruity” and “Intense Fruity”), “PDO”, “Monovarietal” and “Organic”.
SOL Expo (Veronafiere, 1–3 March) is the international showcase dedicated to olive oil and the entire supply chain, from the olive grove to the table. With a format unique in Italy, the event positions itself as a B2B2C platform, connecting professionals, companies, the foodservice sector and informed consumers. It is a hub for business, education and culture that promotes Italian olive oil excellence with a strong focus on internationalisation and engagement with the end consumer.