Price trends for extra virgin olive oil across Europe
A recent European pricing survey highlights how Spain has been categorized among markets with unusually low prices for extra virgin olive oil, while Hungary appears among the higher-price tiers in European supermarkets. The study also notes a government decision in Spain to apply zero percent VAT on olive oil, a move that influenced subsequent price behavior. Overall, the report maps pricing and tests demand through a broad supplier network, offering a lens on how AOVE moves in both consumer and business channels across the continent.
The study identifies the lowest published European price for EVOO in the Irish market, where a liter costs 5.49 euros, a figure substantially lower than the most affordable Spanish options observed in local stores.
Inside Spain, the best value is found at Mercadona, where a liter of their white-label extra virgin olive oil is sold for 8.95 euros, representing a competitive option for budget shoppers while preserving quality expectations.
In higher-cost regions with reliance on imports, such as Belgium and the United Kingdom, Spanish EVOO can still be found near Spanish price levels, with listings around 8.99 to 9.02 euros per liter, commonly seen at Aldi outlets in each country.
Across the Netherlands, Albert Heijn lists EVOO at 9.49 euros per liter. In France, Carrefour prices a liter at 9.72 euros. The spectrum widens at the extreme ends: Romania and Hungary record the top prices, with Carrefour Romania at 13.85 euros and Auchan Hungary at 18.99 euros per liter.
Even within the same chains, price disparities are visible. For instance, in Belgium a Bellasan brand bottle is 8.99 euros per liter, while neighboring Luxembourg has it at 11.32 euros. In the United Kingdom, Solesta’s Aldi bottle is 9.04 euros per liter, and in Ireland the identical product sells for 5.49 euros, illustrating cross-border pricing dynamics within a single network.
Beyond Europe, the same brand has global reach, with varied pricing: 8.99 euros per liter in Japan, 11.30 euros in Mexico, and 14.80 euros in Poland, illustrating how branding and logistics shape international price statements.
Spain’s olive oil export profile
In export terms, the fats and oils sector ranks fourth among Spain’s agricultural exports, trailing meat, fruit, and vegetables. Government data indicate that olive oil shipments account for roughly 65 percent of total olive oil commerce, with about 50,000 tons moving monthly to more than 150 destinations worldwide.
The leading destinations include Italy (around 92,000 tons), the United States (approximately 44,000), Portugal (about 42,000), France (25,000), the United Kingdom (15,000), Japan (12,000), China (11,000), Australia (7,000), Brazil (6,000), South Korea (4,000), and Russia (2,000).
From October 2023 to January 2024, shipments to Italy grew by about 2 percent, and those to the United Kingdom rose roughly 37 percent, while exports to several Asian markets and Oceania declined—Japan down by 52 percent, China by 69 percent, and Australia by 51 percent. These shifts reflect changing demand patterns and logistics considerations across regions.
Citation: Europages study on European EVOO pricing and demand; Spanish export data from the Ministry of Agriculture.