Spain remains the world leader in olive oil production and export, accounting for around 45% of global production. However, in recent years, the sector has faced significant challenges due to rising prices and growing competition from other Mediterranean countries such as Greece and Portugal. These factors have impacted both demand and export strategies for this valuable product, often referred to as “liquid gold.”
Price Increases and Their Impact on Exports
Since 2021, the price of olive oil has seen a sharp increase. Over the past year alone, prices have risen by 67%, with a cumulative increase of 136% over the last three years. This surge is closely linked to climate factors, including prolonged droughts that have severely affected olive production. As a result, Spain has temporarily lost some of its competitiveness against other Mediterranean producers, leading to a decline in exports.
Despite these challenges, there is optimism that prices will stabilize in the coming years, allowing Spain to regain its export momentum. Currently, the main destinations for Spanish olive oil include the United States, Italy, France, and China. There is also growing interest from other Asian countries, where olive oil is becoming increasingly popular.
Flexitanks: Innovation in Export Logistics
Innovation in logistics and transportation is essential to ensuring that Spain maintains its leadership in olive oil exports. As efficiency and sustainability become more critical, flexitanks have revolutionized the logistics of liquid exports, including olive oil. These tanks enable the bulk transport of large volumes of olive oil more economically and safely compared to traditional methods like barrels or rigid containers.
Liquatrans offers flexitanks specifically designed for liquid products such as olive oil. These flexitanks are compatible with standard maritime containers, facilitating handling and reducing shipping costs by optimizing space and eliminating the need for additional packaging. A single container can transport up to 27,000 liters of olive oil, significantly improving logistical efficiency.
Additionally, flexitanks provide high levels of product protection during transport, as they are made from durable, airtight materials that prevent contamination or spoilage of the oil. This is especially crucial for high-quality products like extra virgin olive oil, where preserving the organoleptic properties is paramount. Their design minimizes the risk of spills or losses, which is a key advantage for exporters.
Liquatrans not only offers customized solutions for olive oil transportation but also provides comprehensive services, including logistical advice and the coordination of each stage of the export process. This helps Spanish companies optimize their supply chains and reduce environmental impact by minimizing the use of disposable packaging. As a result, flexitanks have become a sustainable and cost-effective option for olive oil exports to international markets.
Although Spain's olive oil sector faces significant challenges, the focus on logistics innovation, such as Liquatrans’ use of flexitanks, combined with the expected stabilization of prices, points to a positive outlook for the near future of olive oil exports.
