Spanish Olive Oil Consumption in New Zealand on the Rise

As local consumers become more interested in eating healthy, olive oil becomes an increasingly sought-after product

Olive oil consumption in New Zealand is on the rise as local consumers become increasingly aware of its healthy properties. Since this country is not really a strong producer, making just 200,000 to 400,000 liters per year, more than 90% of olive oil is imported from other places.Spain is the leader here, exporting around 10.5 million euros worth of oil to New Zealand. Even better, demand is expected to continue to rise—great news for Spanish olive oil producers. In 2020, Spain accounted for 52.5% of the market, with sales value increasing by 51.1% and sales volume by 34% between 2015 and 2020, according to a report from ICEX. Popular brands include Pons, Carbonell and Borges and other Spanish companies that sell their products in New Zealand, albeit through a local distributor, include Sovena, Acesur and Deoleo.

An interest in eating healthy is the main driver behind increased olive oil consumption, and an increase in purchasing power has led to growing interest in gourmet goods and high-quality products.
Although New Zealand is a small market, it’s still a powerful one where Spanish oil dominates at the moment, and for the foreseeable future too.

Text: Samara Kamenecka/@ICEX