Australian Olive Industry Survey: Industry References & Organisations ~ Part 17

Trust in professional practical advice

If you have an issue or concern, who would you turn to seek professional practical advice?

• AOA
• Govt and industry agencies are of little help. Particularly as organic producers, we find such bodies don’t even know what oganics is, an even seem to regard it with contempt, which puts them completely out of step with increasing consumer demand for certified organic food.
• I would probably contact Amanda at the olive centre, or my mate Jose, an old olive grower from Barcelona.
• To the olive centre and other local growers
• no idea. A friend growing olive like me.
• Prob AOA/modern olives
• THE OLIVE CENTRE & STEVE & GREG
• Red wine
• Aus Olives local rep
• Olive experts
• No one we have already negotiated reduced prices for outgoings where ever it is possible
• Olives Australia
• Have built up an area of knowledge so at this stage would refer to past experience
• Other suppliers to the industry, and growers, producers and processors where appropriate.
• Share of knowledge even from those that have observed but failed
• Other growers
• Irrigation company, horticultural adviser, chef (cook), accountant
• Rarely, unless I know the person or company to seek help from.
• Industry
• Local farm bureau and other growers
• Dr Rod Mailer
• The association (AOA) – they have been great.
• AOOA/IOC
• Industry
• Consultant
• Olive Centre
• None available
• Olive Australia are extremely helpful. The Dept of Agriculture are pretty hopeless unless you strike it lucky.
• The olive centre in Queensland
• Agronomically, if i had a tree issue i would speak to industry specialists.
• Self
• The olive centre
• At the moment its all online information and blogs and sometimes social media.
• It is difficult to find someone in Australia with sufficient professional or practical advice
• AOA, processors, suppliers, technical publications
• No, do not wish to feed another fat cat.
• association members
• Association.
• Marcelo..^^
• I have done
• Agronomist
• for disease issues I consult Dr Vera Sergeva…a day with her is a master class in disease identification.
• Local grower experts in the Hunter Olive Association
• Italian growers
• AOA
• Overseas contacts
• The olive center and growers in my local area
• Only if it did not cost a lot.
• There is little interest in growers concern here in Tasmania.
• Olive industry colleagues
• AOA
• Probably the AOA or the Olive Centre, depending on the particular problem.
• Local growers in the association
• Internet
• Good question. Local agronomists have little orchard experience. Grower’s association contact.
• Would be good to have support through PIRSA
• Agromillora Xavier or Marcelo consultant in Adelaide, Amanda at the olive centre.

Industry Associations

Other responses:

• Hunter Olive Association
• AOOA
• ACO
• QvExtra in Spain
• ONZ
• The Olive Centre
• Was Mudgee Growers Association but they closed.

What do you think your association does well to serve its members, levy payers and/or Industry?

• SEQOA has been a successful long lasting association that has a number of growers who have supported the association and shared ideas, problems and learning. Those who were involved years ago and didn’t wish to avail themselves of association benefits aren’t in the industry now.
• WAOC has done well to raise the profile of evoo at the WA royal show to huge numbers of west Australians.
• Provides information
• Don’t know
• Increased demand for australian produce
• Coordination of a peak body for govt representation and information sharing, R&D
• Annual meetings, competitions, contact with other like minded people
• Distribution of industry information. Attempt to promote the industry
• I don’t currently have an association or seek out any information from the AOA

What do you think your association could do better to serve its members, levy payers and/or Industry?

• Get more people to be involved and take advantage of what associations have to offer rather than go it alone.
• There should be more focus in all associations for smaller, family-sized industry members; we need more players in the business to make it strong. Existing associations could well be more transparent about what they’re up to – better at communication.
• Make membership cheaper, hold more conferences in Queensland
• Get in touch with small growers
• organise training, small workshop or small talks.
• more of the same
• More contact, input into research projects funded by levy, dissemination of research studies.
• Many growers are small producers, many small producers feel they are overshadowed by association for the larger producers. End result don’t want to be part of, including the paying of levies. In many ways this is true.
• reduce the volume of imports
• Focus on one or two key areas.
• eg Economic growth of olive oil industry
• Act as an independent organisation
• Call for an independent inquiry and review into its operations and financials and performance of staff.
• What it could do better is ACTUALLY SERVE IT’S MEMBERS rather than appeasing the AOA.
• It could consult with its members which I have not see it do. Call for issues to be brought forward.
• Cull half it’s board that do absolutely nothing.
• In an increasing busy world I am not sure how they can serve us better. Locally we tend to share information
• and look after each other.
• Be more hands-on and available to us as growers
• As above mentioned
• I have no idea as to how I can feed my ideas or complaints to the AOA in such a way that it could possibly instigate any real change, so I don’t bother.
• So far all our needs are met. Although if they were able to set structures in place to influence farmers markets to have stalls representing their local areas that would be great.
• Marketing the health benefit all olive oil versus other cooking oils i.e. monounsaturated fats
• how can you achieve when your hands are tied by the Government policies
• Get down to grass roots level for the small growers
• Get better support from government.
• I consider that the Tasmanian regional olive associations were tricked into merging with the AOA, because the AOA associate membership option for regional members to remain in their local association was withdrawn shortly after the merger. The Tasmanian association lost over 50% of its members immediately.
• more information on world trends in the industry and competitions
• Cut the costs and time of attending the AGM
• Not try to send them into bankruptcy
• na
• continue with the same number of functions. Have noted that some functions are overly expensive and deny the small grower the opportunity of attending
• Need to get to basics and not get ahead of ourselves.
• Nil.
• More info about marketing
• Take less money
• teach about marketing
• Continue to build a promotion profile to enhance the benefits of olive oil as a healthy consumable.
• independance
• More local advertising to show oil benefits
• AOA – yes
• SGO is doing ok
• Broaden the base and involve many more people to deliver a wider range of activities
• Too many to list
• WORK for the members …. keep lobbying Govt to higlight the concerns re imported products
• Yes.
• I think we only need local and National associations but with better links between the two so information and access to good speakers and information can be facilitated.
• Needs a concerted effort re quality standards for all- Australian and International.
• Reduce fees at AOA Conference. This year we lost about 30% of our crop due to three episode of strong wind during harvest. The cost of entering oils in the competition is significant but the cost for two of us to go to the AOA sessions, accommodation and the dinner was too much as we enjoy and learn from these meetings and have been regular attendees in the past.
• More State education
• More consumer awareness
• More importer regulations
• Working well
• A million dollar question… AOA and WAOC are expensive users of fees for administrative purposes. Productivity of board members varies considerably due to motives. Be accountable, address the mission statement and consider all of the membership. Lobbying effectively is also critical. Successes have been few and far between – health value, china trade protection, managing foreign product control, managing local product control.
• More expert info on orchard management eg pruning of mature trees, unbiased assessment of alternative harvesting equipment and techniques
• They could ask us what we want. We never get a say in anything. What are the actual goals of the industry? Where is the future direction? What is the levy spent on?
• local competitions to generate skills & information
• Nothing – unprofessional at all levels.
• Mainly educational. Networking.
• The OSA currently run a very good competition and awards night.
• As a regional small grower I am not convinced I get any benefit from being a member of an association.
• I am not sure if the Victorian Association still functions.
• Information, but not enough support when we have questions or concerns
• They are very supportive body of welcoming people. They are open with sharing knowledge and this has been invaluable to us. They are keen on looking at the big picture of marketing the future and competing internationally. We really appreciate that they work closely with all Australian growers small – big to ensure the whole market is captured and represented.
• Annual quality testing
• Provides industry reports and international market insights
• Industry
• Advertises quality of Australian olive oil.
• Regional association mentoring and support. National assoc only interested in major producers.
• keeps members updated with regular correspondence
• Brought in an Industry levy. Pushed the Australian standard as the benchmark standard. Has increased public awareness of EVOO
• Nothing at all, a total waste of time
• It doesn’t
• networking and technical functions
• workshops
• Communication of information; lobbying; investment in research.
• Networking
• Next question?
• To date nothing
• education, field days, communication
• Good communication with members
• AOA appears to be focused on the interests of the larger producers
• SGO -Southern Gippsland Olives is a good local support group
• Not much
• Caring and sharing of all things olive. Dissemination of information. Field days. Shared equipment and experience.
• I don’t think they do anything well …. all seem too concerned about keeping a job
• Local association struggles but has relevance.
• State association is a waste of money- does little to support growers- –annual competition is only benefit.
• AOA- standards development is worthwhile- otherwise little value- especially for WA growers ( seems very eastern states focused).
• Pretty good job considering the problems!
• Keeps me informed of what us happening globally in the olive industry. Distributes helpful information on health benefits to pass on to consumers.
• Produce an annual conference
• R + D
• Information
• Not a lot for the smaller grower apart from some process support
• Advertises, promotes olive products
• Talk and have a framework the industry works under. I cannot comment about the levy because I haven’t heard anything.
• WAOC does some tasting and pickling courses and Royal Show competition.
• But has small budget and membership.
• The bulk of membership fees stays with AOA.
• Some news & info every now & then. Went to the expo in Adelaide a few years ago which was good.
• occasional activities and training

Association Roles

80% Respondents indicated that Australian Olive Oil & Table Olives should be the key area of support.

Associations – Focus

What is the most important role(s) and the focus for an Industry Association in the future?

• Promotion of use
• Support growers with marketing materials.
• Keep a focus on all players in the industry. All too often it’s the big mouths that only get heard.
• Promote the Australian product
• Marketing Australian olive products
• Support of growers
• International markets / exportation
• Assist growers and provide product awareness to public
• Drive demand for australian produce
• Education, source of information,
• Promoting the industry nationally & internationally. Dispersing learnings (local & international) to the relevant groups. R&D. Assisting with security from pest & disease. The agency that brings the smaller groups together so the industry acts as one.
• Get more customers interested in slow food
• Industry news
• Question 86
• Serving and representing the interests of growers, producers, processors and suppliers – ie. their members.
• Educating consumers about evoo and table olives
• Professional accredited education and training for :-  – young people who want to enter the industry  – evoo and table olive judges  – growers, producers, processors  
• Addressing and overcoming concerns within the industry
• Professional lobbying at Federal and State government
• Collaborative global R&D projects
• Communication and dialogue with members
• Professionally qualified and experienced staff
• representation of growers with government and the international olive council
• To represent their members best interests holistically.
• To help pass on information to olive growers, in our area many growers are too small to get involved in the industry
• There are no easy solutions to help these growers. They tend to seek the help of those of us who sell oil at
• markets.
• Create a sustainable industry, likely through appropriate marketing to achieve a higher return per litre
• Stating the name of Australia as EVOO quality/reliable producer on the map. Attack competition where this is weak, which also mean be there and awake to do so when opportunities occur!!
• Fighting the loss of market share to other edible oils, specifically coconut and ricebran? and taking share from canola by clearly showing their differences in heathfulness and how they can be used in the kitchen.
• Consumer education – work with users of EVOO eg: Butchers and Chefs
• Cohesion among all size of growers in Australia
• Ensure ongoing viability of the industry
• Portray a unified front the consumer, government and other key stakeholders
• Position olive oil as a better for you option to other cooking oils
• cost affecting of olive oil for all the consumers to consume
• Marketing and look after the smaller growers
• Educating consumers and providing practical advice to growers
• Education of public
• keeping inferior oils out of our country
• Maintain the standard (Australian). Lobby Governments as to the value of having a viable and diversified Australian industry. Push Governments to support and value a sustainable Agricultural industry.
• To serve all members not just the public companies who control association
• unity to push olive oil to all consumers
• not sure
• promote local products and provide technical support
• For its members & by its members.
• Marketing our product locally and overseas
• Marketing of a great product, ie Australian olives and oil. Promotion of PURE Australian oil versus overseas dumping of sub-standard products.
• Promote australian evoo globally
• Be down to earth to growers
• promoting Australian olive industry, educating producers
• To maintain a viable industry for all size producers – to further develop international markets, particularly into Asia. As a small producer, I am very price sensitive to what I put into my groves. A base price for olives and oil would give producers certainly and incentive to increase production and invest in their groves.
• Education to the public
• Freedom of grower
• To grow consumption of local product
• To represent all members regardless of size
• Unity of purpose, diversity of contributions and an international focus
• National marketing, Mythbusting, R&D,
• To PROMOTE what is good about Australian product viz Imports
• R & D and education (Spooner-Hart and Sergeeva for example are great). Politicking as appropriate to protect our interests.
• Continue to do what it is doing.
• Support olive growers
• Improve marketing campaigns
• More consumer awareness
• Promotion
• Influence the number of processors
• To help growers in all aspects of the industry, from planting through to selling final product, there is no one aspect that is more important than the others.
• Advocacy
• Pressure to make o/seas produce have true labelling and is not allowed to import under cost oil.
• Building and maintaining market and awareness of the “goodness” of olive products. Research and development of growing, harvesting methods and varieties.
• The focus needs to be with where the growers in the industry branch out to. Exports are an unknown but would be great if there were connections
• Look after its members
• bring everyone together looking at export and the Australian industry producing good oil. Understanding new growing systems disease control and costs of production.
• Support its members
• general maintenance and refurbishment

Government & Industry Support

What support would you like to see from a government/industry organisation?

• It’s the govts job to look after the international scene, such as ensuring cheap, subsidised imports don’t get here. All too often that weak statement is heard : “There will be winners and losers”, when explaining free trade deals. Note that THEY will never be one of the losers. I don’t elect politicians to become mealy-mouthed turncoats.
• Support in the promotion of the Oz product in the World market. Also provision of incentives for R&R and production, to ensure Oz products become more competitive in the world market.
• Grants and incentives to help industry
• Give back to the producers
• Tax incentives
• Pro australian marketing, cheaper input costs across labour, chemicals, fertilisers, water
• research to address industry problems
• government to give us a fair go.
• Funding for R&D. Stricter monitoring of imported product so that products meets International and Australian standards.
• promotion of the benefits of Australian produced olives and oil
• As above
• Remain independent of any growers and act on behalf of all growers and producers
• Financial
• Legislative
• Export
• Marketing
• R&D
• level playing field with imported oils (dealing with fraudulent labeling and oils)
• To work with my business, not against it (by duplicating the resources I offer).
• Transparency of operations.
• That the labelling issues be sorted out so we can tell the world how good Australian Olive Oil is.
• Above
• Support local growers and offer financial incentives. For Americans, keep the borders open. All hand-picked crops are done by crews of competent Mexican workers and there needs to be rules and regulations in place to allow these jobs to be performed so workers are available.
• Government: acknowledge that Australia hes a great opportunity to play with quality EVOO and try to favor this industry if and how possible. Industry: more marketing, not only focused on internet sales – from the comfy chair of home – but to the real consumers in their real languages, from the hospitality sector to the housewife. Australia is a multicultural society: it is then time to involve different cultures to spread news of the quality of Australian EVOO in their native countries.
• After years of collecting levies on growers, nothing has come out of it Not one report from what I can tell. We used to get good reports from RIRDC which we could download. Since the levy, we have received ziltch even though hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent.
• Funding for education – it is a health message for all ages
• Tighter restrictions on poor quality including imports
• Assistance with research into choosing varietals, how to set up groves, help maximize yields and minimize costs
• government pressing facilities that all members can utilise for pressing of olives and to support the prices to suite for all
• Tighten labelling laws and penalise offenders. Countervailing tariffs.
• More on pests control and import controls
• Don’t let the bloody Government have anything to do with it.
• Stop importing inferior subsidised oils.
• Pest control of introduced avian species (starlings)
• Tariff on imported product that apply tariff to australian exports
• Some form of financial assistance to get you to the next level.
• putting an acceptable standard of imported evoo
• Advertising local produce
• Support a viable and diversified Australian industry
• Protection against import dumping.
• much more exposure of the benefits of oz oil and fruit
• product and technical support
• Introduce a tariff to protect our industry and livelihoods.
• Support for small growers actively promoting our industry
• Legislation to protect the purity of the Australian product.
• More stringent in control of imported olive oil
• Direct funding to growers
• education, marketing, marketing, marketing
• International trade opportunities and a move toward truth in labelling for olive oil so that consumers can easily identify the quality of their purchase.
• Education to the public
• none
• Support for small scale growers to get get up and started. Help with buying the equipment to get started in olive oil production
• Ensure EVOO is included into FTA’s
• Recognise medium size growers interests
• As above
• Global positioning, national promotion of Australian Product, regulation and protection of quality, penalties with teeth.
• Duty and INCOMING QA on imported products
• none
• Give up on governments! Look at the backpacker tax stuffup! Attitudes to dumping!
• Grower subsidies
• Marketing dollar for dollar campaigns
• Improving Export opportunities
• Research for pests and diseases
• Encourage engineering firms to manufacture olive presses in Oz rather than having to import from Italy
• Setting up a on line forum maybe moderated by an industry expert (paid). She/he would maybe work for 3 months and then be replaced by another industry expert and this could continue while the government/industry was able to fund it. Olive industry members could use the forum to discuss problems/successes and share ideas.
• Reduction of shonky product and dishonest distribution. I don’t believe regulation on its own wil achieve this.
• As above
• R & D
• Help to Australian Agriculture? Did they forget about us?
• Government- HONEST LABELLING!!!!!!!!!!
• Local skills we can tap into in the regions
• as much as possible
• Reduce import
• incentives to employ local people