Spanish producers and policymakers explore strategies for success in the Chinese market

Even as consecutive years of poor harvests in the Mediterranean basin have led to a dramatic decrease in production, olive oil remains highly sought after in China, particularly from Spain. Changing eating habits among young consumers in large cities who have traveled abroad and have been exposed to the Mediterranean diet are partly boosting olive oil purchases. According to International Olive Council data, Chinese olive oil consumption has increased from 12,000 tons in the 2008/09 crop year to 42,500 tons in 2022/23. Still, soybean, sunflower, peanut, and rapeseed oils remain the most common cooking oils in China, readily available at an affordable price and historically used to prepare local dishes. A recent guide published by Prodeca, a public entity that promotes the Catalan agri-food sector internationally, examined how extra virgin olive oil producers could be more competitive in China’s growing market. Among the producers with some experience in the world’s second-largest ...