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<pre>I agree that olive oil is not the same as wine. At present in Oz the
average family consumes only a couple of bottles (1 l) a year but in Italy
it is a bottle a week and in the centre and south more than that.
If growers go for boutique selling on the same basis as wine they are
going to find it difficult and expensive but olive oil is ideal for direct
selling. Instead of tiny medicine bottles, fancy labels, high margin shops
growers should consider the Italian method of direct sales to ristorante and
a small list of private clients in bulk. No bottles etc. The clients collect
in 50 l ss drums. All cash. No GST.

Cheers Brian Chatterton.
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<pre>Brian

I am certainly doing my part to up the average on consumption of wine in
Australia; whenever possible I quaff away. Over the past couple of years my
Italian and Greek friends have helped change our processing facility from a
purely commercial operation to one that has a family feel, a celebratory
annual ritual. The breads, the cheeses, the wine are regular features and,
of course, the oils.

"Italian method of direct sales to ristorante and a small list of private
clients in bulk". We gained an agency this year for wholesaling ss
containers (most popular size 30L so we have a way to go yet) and we have
sold a swag. People intend coming back each year with said containers to
fill up. The restaurant trade has also improved significantly and, I agree,
it certainly seems the way to go.

Your comment All Cash, no GST does not affect us as most sales are invoiced.
The introduction of GST in Australia was going to stop the black economy our
politicians claimed. An official report last week states the opposite; it's
business as usual in the cash economy.

Regards
Peter Caird
www.victorianolivegroves.com
0418 392 157
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