The olive tree and its olive oil are not new in Portugal. They go back to the Bronze Age. The Portuguese by exploring the seas, learned that olive oil exporting was very important for the economy. In the beginning olive oil was used for lighting. As years went by, the production and uses were increased.
In the recent years Portugal produces olive oil of great quality and reasonable price. Portuguese olive oil is of light green color, an intense taste and a distinct aroma.
The production of a variety and high quality organic olive oil, is also growing and being available to the consumers.
The olive oil production in Portugal continues to grow and is being very profitable. The government invested over 5 million euros to update the old olive presses, with a goal, that their high quality olive oil can be purchased all over the world.
The table olives are used daily at homes and in restaurants, with the black olives being the most popular. Olive oil is the main fat consumed.
In 1986 when Portugal became a part of the European Union, measures have been taken, to ensure high quality olive products for their consumption and for the exporting to the outside world.
New olive orchards have been planted and new techniques have been introduced to help production, new oil mills have been built in all olive producing regions, and research studies are done to ensure a flawless and supreme production of olives and olive oil.
The Portuguese olive orchards will stay fertile for hundreds and hundreds of years. In the Southern region of the Algarve, an olive tree is believed to be over 2,000 years old.
Portugal today is in one of the top positions in the world market.