Sustainable Olive Oil Growing and Production Methodology Handbook

The OliveOilMedNet project promote ecological and authentic practice within the Olive Oil industry. This methodology explores the deep historical and cultural significance of the olive tree, tracing its journey from ancient Mediterranean civilizations to its modern role as a symbol of health and identity. It details technical aspects of cultivation, including soil requirements, climatic needs, and the classification of different grove typologies. Beyond farming, the handbook addresses the entire production value chain, highlighting innovations in oil extraction, waste minimization, and strategies for detecting fraud. Finally, it provides practical insights into marketing, traceability, and health benefits to help producers and consumers prioritize high-quality extra virgin olive oils.

Open

Project OliveOilMedNet

Mission Innovative Sustainable Economy

Production year 2025

Type of result Methodology

Target audience Business Support Organisation, Education, Training Center and School, Enterprise, except SME, Higher education and research organisation, International organisation, Local public authority, National public authority, Regional public authority, Sectoral agency, SME

Covered areas Coastal area, Island, Mountain area, Rural area

Keywords Agri-food systems, Agriculture and fisheries and forestry, Rural and peripheral development, SME and entrepreneurship, Waste and pollution

Partners University of Jaen

Issues addressed

The methology addresses the absence of standardized, transferrable, and sustainable guidelines for Mediterranean olive growers and mills. Commercially, the sector lacks a unified technical methodology to verify olive oil authenticity and safeguard regional markets from mislabeling and origin fraud. Environmentally, producers face a gap in actionable, circular practices to minimize and valorize mill residues. This handbook directly addresses these vulnerabilities by establishing a common, scientifically grounded methodology spanning agronomic models, extraction innovations, and integrated traceability.

Added value of the result

The methology provides a useful, consolidated overview of established practices and emerging technologies, including advanced authentication methods, waste valorisation and processing innovations designed to help local farmers and mills across different Mediterranean countries align their practices.

Transferability potential

Co-designed across six countries, the methodology has strong regional transferability with highly replicable agronomic and milling practices. Rather than treating agronomic models, biochemical extraction, and marketing in isolation, the handbook successfully compile these disparate fields into an actionable, integrated value-chain framework that spans from olive grove selection to consumer placement. It establishes precise operational guidelines for milling early-harvest extra virgin olive oils. To maximize its impact on the ground, the transition to practice could be supported by step-by-step explanations and operational tools.

Contribution to SDGs

SDG 12 - Responsible consumption and production, SDG 15 - Life on land

Contribution to the Strategies and EU Policies

Bioeconomy strategy, EU Biodiversity Strategy, EU Circular Economy