South America Olives Market Analysis
The South America Olive Market size is estimated at USD 692.19 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 850.28 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.20% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The South American olive market has experienced rapid growth in recent years, driven by increasing demand from food service and retail industries, rising consumption of table olives, expanded olive production, and growing olive oil consumption due to changing dietary patterns. The health benefits of olives have increased their demand across South American countries. Research indicates that olives contain nutrients that may help prevent cancer and reduce nerve problems. Their high content of beneficial fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins has established olives as a healthy fruit oil option in the region.
The market growth is substantial in food service and retail channels. Olives are essential ingredients in restaurants and bars across the region, used extensively in sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and salads. This widespread use, combined with expansion in the food and beverage (F&B) industry, continues to drive market growth. Argentina recorded a significant olive harvest in 2023, producing approximately 40,000 metric tons of olive oil. This production volume established Argentina as the largest olive oil producer outside the Mediterranean region. The country's olive oil exports increased by 137% in the first ten months of 2023, reaching 30,567 metric tons.
In 2023, Peru faced significant challenges in olive production due to El Niño effects. The country experienced a 90% decrease in olive oil production, dropping from approximately 7,000 metric tons in 2023 to an projected 700 to 1,000 metric tons in 2024. This decline resulted from extreme climate conditions that caused insufficient chill hours for olive trees to bear fruit, along with heavy rains during the flowering period. Despite these setbacks, there are ongoing efforts to encourage olive production in Peru. Producers and organizations are advocating for diversification of olive varieties to include more resilient types such as Arbequina, Coratina, Frantoio, Manzanilla, and Sevillano.
The market is projected to maintain its growth trajectory during the forecast period, supported by increasing health consciousness among consumers and sustained demand from various end-use sectors.
South America Olives Market Trends
Rising Production of Olive to Meet the Growing Demand
The health benefits of olives have increased their demand across South America. Research indicates that olives contain nutrients that may help prevent cancer and reduce nerve-related issues. South American countries are significant consumers of olive products, including olive oil, with consumption showing consistent annual growth. According to USDA data, Brazil's olive oil consumption reached 98 thousand metric tons in 2023, increasing from 75 thousand metric tons in 2022.
The rising olive oil consumption has boosted olive production in the region. FAO data shows that total olive production increased from 655,671.03 metric tons in 2021 to 704,002.46 metric tons in 2023, supporting market growth. Olives remain fundamental to South American dietary habits, commonly consumed pickled, marinated with herbs, or in salads. The combination of increasing olive consumption and population growth will drive market expansion. The growing demand for olive oil, coupled with increased olive production in the region, indicates continued market growth throughout the forecast period.
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Argentina Dominates the Market
Argentina has established itself as a significant player in the global olive oil market, particularly in South America. The primary olive-growing regions are in the western provinces, notably Mendoza and Córdoba, where the climate supports olive cultivation. Argentina utilizes traditional, intensive, and superintensive cultivation methods. According to USDA, superintensive methods account for 53% of the cultivation area, while irrigated crops comprise 62% in 2023.
Global olive oil consumption has increased due to shifting preferences toward healthy diets. Argentina exports approximately 75% of its annual olive oil production, predominantly extra virgin olive oil. The domestic market remains small, with per capita consumption below 0.25 liters annually. According to ITC Trade Map, Argentina's olive oil exports increased significantly in the first ten months of 2023, with virgin and extra virgin olive oil exports rising by 137% to 30,567 metric tons compared to the same period in 2022. Spain imported 34% of Argentine olive oil exports by value in 2023, followed by the United States and Brazil. The increasing global consumption of olive oil is projected to drive olive production growth and expand the olive market in Argentina.
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South America Olives Market News
- May 2023: A new promotional campaign for extra virgin olive oil and European table olives launched in Brazil through the “C.OL.I.BRI” Project. This initiative is co-financed by the European Commission’s “Promotion of Agricultural Products” program, to raise awareness among the general public and Brazilian professionals about the virtues of European olive products.
- August 2020: Orfeu, a firm situated in Brazil, launched a new line of olive fruit oils. This will drive the Olive demand in the processing sector of the region and this in turn will support the market's growth over the forecast period.
South America Olives Industry Segmentation
Olives are small, oval-shaped fruits with a hard stone and bitter flesh that are green when unripe and bluish-black when ripe, mostly used as food and as a source of oil. The South America Olive Market is Segmented by Geography (Argentina, Peru, and Chile). The report includes the Production (Volume), Consumption (Value and Volume), Trade in terms of Import (Value and Volume) and Export (Value and Volume), and Price Trend Analysis. The report offers the market size and forecasts in terms of Volume (Metric Tons) and Value (USD) for all the above segments.
| Geography | South America | Argentina | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Peru | Production Analysis (Volume) | |||
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| Chile | Production Analysis (Volume) | |||
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South America Olive Market Research Faqs
How big is the South America Olive Market?
The South America Olive Market size is expected to reach USD 692.19 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 4.20% to reach USD 850.28 billion by 2030.
What is the current South America Olive Market size?
In 2025, the South America Olive Market size is expected to reach USD 692.19 billion.
What years does this South America Olive Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the South America Olive Market size was estimated at USD 663.12 billion. The report covers the South America Olive Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the South America Olive Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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South America Olive Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 South America Olive market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. South America Olive analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
