Olives New Zealand remains positive as local producer shuts down after more than two decades

Olives New Zealand says the industry is still going strong despite claims a recent shutdown would not bode well for the sector. Photo / 123rf

The country’s largest olive oil industry body remains “positive about this season and the future of the industry”, despite the leading producer of premium olive oils going into liquidation.

Olives New Zealand has acknowledged Wairarapa-owned and operated The Olive Press closing its doors after operating for 27 years.

The Olive Press director Rod Lingar was critical of Olives New Zealand, which he claimed had not developed a growth strategy or marketing plan over the past three years.

He said the producer’s shutdown “did not bode well for the national industry” and noted the Government had withdrawn the body’s research funding, further weakening the local sector.

But Olives New Zealand executive officer Emma Glover told the Herald that while the closure was “disappointing”, it wouldn’t have as big an impact as was claimed.

“The liquidation of The Olive Press is disappointing for the industry so close to the 2026 harvest; however, it is not as disastrous for Wairarapa growers as has been suggested.

“Industry service providers are already working together to support the growers affected by the closure, ensuring as many groves as possible can have their olives harvested and pressed this season, and that the resulting oil remains available to the New Zealand market.”

She said the sector continued to experience strong supply and demand.

“Despite the negativity reflected in the article and the increased fuel costs... overall, industry is feeling positive about this season and the future of the industry.

“The demand for quality New Zealand extra virgin olive oil [EVOO] continues to grow as consumers’ knowledge and value of its health benefits and freshness grows for our high-quality product.”

Glover told the Herald that Olives New Zealand is the largest of the industry’s membership organisations. It represents over half the country’s commercial olive growers and nearly 50 independent olive oil brands, “who supply high-quality EVOO direct to customers and retailers, along with the hospitality, pharmaceutical and beauty industries”.

“Olives NZ’s focus for the previous decade has been on the development and implementation of successful grove management strategies reflective of growing in New Zealand conditions to increase production – these projects received MPI Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures funding for six years [between 2016 – 2022].

“Over the last year, Olives NZ has been leading the development of an overall industry strategy, from which the organisation will align its own strategy.”