In just one generation the world consumption of olive oil has practically doubled with a leap of 73% in 25 years, thus revolutionising diets in many countries, from Japan to Brazil, from Russia to the United States, from Britain to Germany. This is the core message of the study presented at the celebration of the global Olive Oil Day held by the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC). It is a positive trend that also spoils Italy with a record increase of olive oil exports of 8% in the first eight months of 2016, with a particular increase of 18% in China, where, however, the volumes are still low, of +7% in Japan, and +11% in the USA, where nearly a third of olive oil crossing the national border is bound.
ITALY AT THE TOP – An annual grand total of 2.99 billion kg of olive oil was consumed worldwide, with Italy ranking at the top with 581 million kg, followed by Spain with 490 million kg. Surprisingly, also the USA have secured themselves a podium position, with a consumption of 308 million kg and an increase of a sound 250% over a period of 25 years.
OIL & HEALTH – The positive health effects associated with olive oil certainly support the worldwide demand. The latter is an awareness that has been acquired by the approvals of the Mediterranean diet, whose role is important for the health and was also certified with its registration in the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage on 17th November 2010. This attention is to be attributed to an American, namely Ancel Keys, a scientist from Minnesota, who studied the beneficial effects of this diet in Acciaroli in Cilento, where he lived for 40 years.