The Consortium for the protection of Olio Toscano PGI obtained an important result in the fight against counterfeiting, thanks to the registration of the product’s trademark in Japan. The exports sector plays a strategic role in the trade balance of Tuscan olive oils, particularly in the non-EU area. And Japanese showing an increasing appreciation for products that are certified Geographical Indications.
“The registration – explains the President of Olio Toscano PGI protection Consortium, Fabrizio Filippi – is a strategic consolidation for the protection of our brand and for the olive oil produced by our members against fraud, imitations and Italian sounding. The latter phenomenon threatens Italian PGI and PDO productions, and is worth over 100 billion euros.”
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OLIO TOSCANO PGI BY THE NUMBERS
Bilateral trade agreements between the EU and non-EU countries allow a widening of the protection and safeguard of Geographical Indications. Olio Toscano PGI represents a 25% share of the total PGI and PDO certified olive oil production in Italy and about 15-20% of the olive oil produced in Tuscany.
Italian olive oil certified quality productions (PDO+PGI)
| Extra Virgin Olive oil | Production value 2017 (mio €) | Production value 2018 (mio €) | Var. % 2018/2017 | % Share (2018) |
| Olio Toscano PGI | 16.7 | 22.6 | +35.7% | 26.2% |
| Terra di Bari PDO | 21.2 | 22.5 | +6% | 26,1% |
| Val di Mazara PDO | 6 | 6.6 | +11.7% | 7.7% |
| Riviera Ligure PDO | 3.8 | 5.7 | +48.7% | 6.6% |
| Umbria PDO | 5.5 | 4.6 | -15.4% | 5.3% |
| Others | 19.8 | 24.2 | +22.2% | 28.1% |
Over 9,000 member companies are involved in its production, including 8,880 olive growers, 276 oil mill, and 503 bottlers. Olio Toscano PGI is exported for almost 65 % of its production, and to a large extent (almost half) beyond the EU borders. The United States is the main destination among non-EU countries, before Canada and the Far East. The total consumption value is about 100 million euros.
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All this is part of a good olive growing year for the whole of Tuscany. Estimates predict an increase in regional production of 30% (about 14-15,000 tons) compared to 2019. This is thanks to a good climatic trend and the lack of health problems for olive trees, thus guaranteing a final product of great quality.