Key figures: PDO olive products in Europe

PDO olive oils in Europe: a protected culinary heritage

Europe is the global centre of the olive oil industry: the European Union accounts for the majority of world production, with Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal among the world’s leading producers. Within this production, oils with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) hold a special place.

There are currently 116 designations of origin for olive oil in Europe. These oils are produced in limited quantities and are distinguished by their distinctive character and traceability.

Map of Europe : PDO olive oils — © France Olive

PDO olive oil: a small category that’s going from strength to strength

Oils and fats with a Geographical Indication account for just 2 per cent of the value of GI agricultural products in Europe: €555 million in 2017. Not enough to rival cheese.

But within this small sector, olive oil clearly stands out: €301 million, 54 per cent of the category, and, most notably, 48 per cent growth since 2010. In short, it’s really making its mark!

The rankings (with a catch)

On paper, France tops the list with 193 million euros (35 per cent of the category). Except that this is misleading: in our country, it is PDO butter that does all the work, not olive oil, the production of which in France remains negligible.

The real olive oil ranking is more like this:

Spain: €141 million (25 per cent)
Italy: €76 million (14 per cent)
Greece: €54 million (10 per cent)

EU Olive Oil Podium PDO — © France Olive

Olive trees in Spain — © Estivillml | 123RF

Spain, the quiet powerhouse

Spain is not content merely to be the world’s leading producer of olive oil: it also dominates the market for protected designations of origin. Its PDOs cover 710,325 hectares, supporting 128,879 farmers and 364 mills, producing 74,362 tonnes of protected virgin and extra virgin olive oil (2020).

The Baena PDO and the Sierra Mágina PDO are the largest in terms of production.

Italy, the country that loves its local specialities

Italy boasts 50 designations for extra virgin olive oil (42 PDO, 8 PGI), a European record. However, these account for just 6.53 per cent of its total olive oil production (Ismea-Qualivita, 2025). Many labels, little volume: this is a deliberate strategy.

The Terra di Bari PDO remains the country’s leading designation, with 6,835 tonnes in 2024. Although more modest in volume, the Toscano PGI (2,364 tonnes, +9.5 per cent) nevertheless retains its crown as Italy’s leading export designation.

In short: volumes may sometimes be modest, but the sector is on the rise, region by region.

Olives under the PDO brand in Europe

Map of Europe : PDO olives — © France Olive

Europe has 29 Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) for table olives, primarily in Greece, France and Italy, each of which showcases a specific terroir and preservation expertise. Here are the key figures to bear in mind to understand this sector and the breakdown of these designations by country.

Table olives protected by a geographical indication do not carry much weight in the European market: 18 million euros, barely 1 per cent of the fruit, vegetables and cereals category under GI. A mere drop in the ocean compared to cheeses or wines.

But there is one figure that changes everything: +273 per cent growth since 2010. Yes, they have almost quadrupled in seven years.

In other words: low volume, but a trend that speaks for itself – PDO and PGI olives are clearly on the up.