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<pre>Stan,

There are many misconceptions about Italian olive oil marketing. There
are a few important points. Italy is the largest consumer of olive oil in
the world. It is the second largest producer of olive oil. It is the largest
importer of oil and the second largest exporter.

The figures vary from year to year but roughly.

Production about 800,000 tonnes. Spain usually more. (Australia not yet
1,000 tonnes)

Imports 300,000 tonnes - next is USA with about 120,000 tonne

Exports 150,000 tonnes - Spain number one at 300,000 tonnes and Tunisia
number three.

Cheers Brian Chatterton
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<pre>Regarding olive oil marketing in Italy. There are many countries that
consume their production of olive oil and need to import.

Italy is unique in that it imports oil from Spain, Turkey, Greece,
Tunisia or where-ever and still exports significant amounts.

I wish everyone happy holidays, merry xmas, happy Chinese New Year,
Happy Post Ramidan, happy Hannikah and for others the winter soltice
(northern hemisphere)

Stan Kailis
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