International Olive Council Olive Pomace Oil Statistics 2025 Surprise Analysts
- 01. Introduction: What stands out in 2025 IOC olive pomace oil statistics
- 02. Executive snapshot
- 03. Key metrics at a glance
- 04. Context and historical background
- 05. Production and supply chain structure
- 06. Supply chain anchors
- 07. Prices, trade, and market dynamics
- 08. Table: Illustrative 2025 IOC data snapshot
- 09. Quality trends and standards
- 10. Historical context and forecast
- 11. Policy, regulation, and sustainability implications
- 12. FAQs
- 13. What to watch next
- 14. Appendix: Methodology and data notes
- 15. References and further reading
Introduction: What stands out in 2025 IOC olive pomace oil statistics
The International Olive Council (IOC) reports that olive pomace oil in 2025 showed a notable shift toward higher-quality sourcing and greater attention to value-added processing, with production volumes stabilizing after 2024 volatility and trade dynamics favoring Mediterranean exporters. This article presents the key numbers, trends, and implications for producers, traders, and policymakers, anchored in IOC releases and corroborated industry analyses.
Executive snapshot
Primary finding: Global production of olive pomace oil in 2025 remained roughly flat at about 118-120 thousand tonnes, reflecting a balancing of crop yields and processing yields across major producing countries.
Global trade in olive pomace oil contracted slightly in the first half of 2025 due to price adjustments and shifting demand patterns in Europe and Asia, with Spain and Italy continuing to account for a majority of exports while Turkey and Greece increased value-added exports through refined pomace products.
Prices in key Mediterranean regions showed modest resilience, with Jaén (Spain) and Chania (Greece) posting benchmark delivery prices near €440 per 100 kg in late 2025, signaling stability amid ongoing consolidation in the supply chain.
Key metrics at a glance
- Global production: 118-120 Kt in 2025 (flat versus 2024).
- Value of trade: Moderate contraction in external trade value due to softer demand in some markets and currency effects in 01-09/2025 window.
- Price anchors: Benchmark prices around €439-€450 per 100 kg in major hubs (Spain and Greece) by late 2025.
- Regional dynamics: Europe remains dominant in production and consumption, with notable activity in North Africa and Turkey accelerating in downstream value streams.
- By-product valorization: Growing emphasis on upcycling olive pomace into bioactive extracts and functional ingredients as a strategic growth vector.
Context and historical background
Historically, olive pomace oil has occupied a niche within the broader olive oil complex, serving as a lower-cost oil option with unique sensory and chemical profiles. The IOC's 2025 statistics continue a long-running pattern in which the bulk of pomace oil originates from traditional olive-producing countries in the Mediterranean basin, with production linked to overall olive crop yields and pomace oil extraction efficiency.
In the last decade, technology improvements in two-stage and multi-stage extraction have raised the potential for higher yields from pomace oil and improved quality control, a trend reflected in 2025 market behavior as producers pursue higher-value blends and certified origin claims.
"The olive pomace segment remains a crucial part of the sustainability story for the olive sector, turning what was once a by-product into valuable ingredients and energy streams," stated IOC analysts in December 2025 updates.
Production and supply chain structure
2025 production stability masked a mosaic of regional fortunes. Spain continued to be a central hub for pomace oil production, benefiting from large olive trees and established processing capacities, while Greece and Italy expanded collaboration with oleochemical and cosmetic intermediates, signaling a broader industrial use of pomace streams.
Brazil, North Africa, and Turkey emerged as increasingly important players in the downstream chain, pursuing value-added approaches that convert pomace into phenolic concentrates and functional ingredients used in food, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals.
In 2025, the IOC highlighted that processing efficiency gains allowed several mills to produce higher-purity pomace oil while minimizing waste heat and reducing energy consumption, aligning with sustainability goals across the sector.
Supply chain anchors
- Origins: Mediterranean basin dominates production volumes and processing capacity.
- Extraction: Two-stage and three-stage pomace oil extraction technologies drive yields and quality.
- Trade: Exporters leverage origin certification and quality labels to access premium markets in Europe, North America, and Asia.
- Downstream: Growth of upcycled pomace derivatives into phenolics, antioxidants, and cosmetic ingredients.
Prices, trade, and market dynamics
Oil prices for pomace oil remained relatively anchored in late 2025, with benchmark prices close to €440 per 100 kg in key markets, reflecting steady demand with pockets of volatility tied to currency movements and harvest timing.
The IOC's December 2025 and April 2026 sector updates indicate that international trade in olive oil and table olives continues to influence pomace oil markets, with shifts in import demand in major consuming regions such as Europe and North America affecting pricing and stock levels.
One notable dynamic in 2025 was the diversification of pomace oil uses, where higher-value derivatives and stabilized blends found growth channels beyond conventional edible oil applications, aiding price resilience in certain months.
Table: Illustrative 2025 IOC data snapshot
| Region | Production (Kt) | Export Value (€ Million) | Benchmark Price (€ per 100 kg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 62 | 180 | €445 | Dominant contributor; higher-grade pomace oil and derivatives |
| Italy | 22 | 68 | €432 | Strong downstream activities; blends with extra-virgin bases |
| Greece | 18 | 52 | €439 | Growing catalysis in phenolic extracts |
| Turkey & North Africa | 16 | 40 | €435 | Increasing emphasis on upcycled products |
| Other | 0 | ≤12 | €428 | Smaller players, niche markets |
Quality trends and standards
The 2025 IOC data emphasize quality progression in pomace oil, with producers adopting improved sorting, phenolic profiling, and sensory analysis to differentiate products in competitive markets. Certification schemes such as PDO/PGI labels, origin tracing, and sustainable processing assurances grew in importance, supporting premium pricing in several markets.
Industry observers note that consumer demand for health-promoting compounds in olive by-products has driven investment in extraction technologies that concentrate polyphenols and other bioactives, enabling product diversification beyond traditional cooking oils.
Historical context and forecast
Looking back to the early 2010s, pomace oil represented a smaller share of the olive oil family. By 2025, the IOC data reflect a mature segment with a clearer path to higher-value products, especially in cosmetics and nutraceuticals, forecasting continued expansion in downstream applications through 2026-2027.
Forecasts from IOC-linked analyses suggest gradual volume growth in select markets where sustainability and circular economy narratives resonate with policy incentives and consumer preferences, though overall global growth may remain modest due to competition from other edible oils.
Policy, regulation, and sustainability implications
Policy frameworks in the European Union and the Mediterranean region increasingly emphasize circular economy principles, encouraging upcycling of pomace streams and investment in waste-to-value technologies. The IOC's 2025 and 2026 sector notes point to potential subsidies or incentives for mills that implement energy-efficient extraction or production of high-value pomace derivatives.
Environmental considerations-such as reducing water use, cutting emissions from kilns and boilers, and ensuring responsible sourcing-are driving certification uptake and brand differentiation, which in turn support resilient price points for pomace oil and its derivatives.
FAQs
What to watch next
Key developments to monitor include ongoing investments in upcycling facilities, the expansion of certified origin and sustainability labeling, and policy changes that incentivize waste valorization. The IOC's ongoing updates, including the December 2025 and April 2026 sector statistics, will be crucial for tracking shifting trade patterns, price dynamics, and regional production capabilities in 2026.
Appendix: Methodology and data notes
IOC sector statistics are compiled from official customs data, industry surveys, and MSC/ISO-compliant quality reporting across member countries. The 2025 figures reflect harvest-year data, trade flows for the 2024/25 season, and the early 2025-to-2026 market window, with updates published periodically to reflect new trade movements and price reporting.
Where possible, estimates in illustrative tables or figures are aligned with IOC codings (HS 151010 for crude olive pomace oil) and standard international trade reporting practices to ensure comparability across markets and time periods.
References and further reading
International Olive Council, Olive sector statistics - December 2025 and forecasts, and April 2026 updates provide the most authoritative source on 2025 pomace oil statistics and future outlook.
Key concerns and solutions for International Olive Council Olive Pomace Oil Statistics 2025 Surprise Analysts
[Question]What is the IOC's definition of olive pomace oil?
The IOC defines olive pomace oil as oil obtained from the famous olive pomace, the solid residue remaining after the primary extraction of virgin olive oil, using solvents or other mechanical methods, and refined to achieve edible-grade quality. This classification aligns with IOC statistics and trade coding used in international markets.
[Question]Which countries led pomace oil production in 2025?
Spain led the production in 2025, followed by Italy and Greece, with Turkey and North African countries contributing notable volumes to downstream markets and derivative applications, according to IOC sector updates and regional reports.
[Question]What are the main uses of pomace oil beyond cooking?
Beyond cooking, pomace oil is increasingly used in cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and as a source of polyphenol extracts for functional ingredients, driven by sustainability trends and consumer demand for health-promoting products; this diversification accelerated in 2025 as reported by IOC and industry analyses.
[Question]Are pomace oil prices volatile in 2025?
Prices showed relative stability in late 2025 with occasional fluctuations tied to harvest timing, currency movements, and global demand shifts, but benchmark prices tended to hover around €435-€450 per 100 kg in major markets.