Iran the 11th olive producer in the world

Tehran, Jan 20, IRNA – Executive Director of International Olive Council (IOC) said on Tuesday that from totally 43 olive producers in the world, Iran ranked 11. Jean-Louis Barjol made the remarks in a meeting of olive policymaking council. Referring to the downward olive production and consumption worldwide, Barjol said that now 11 million hectares are under olive cultivation in the world that 80 percent of world olive gardens are being managed traditionally. He added that Spain and Italy are the main producers and exporters of olive and olive oil in the world and Spain is producing 50 percent of world olive lonely. Concerning olive production expenses, Barjol said that upon statistical figures by Iran, production expense in Iran is higher than many other world countries and its reason is using traditional irrigation methods and cultivation on lands by low slope. He added that Iran has achieved success in compressed irrigations. Barjol said that IOC decisions are taken annually in November, so educational planning for year 2015 have been determined and if Iran is ready for cooperation in execution of educational courses or management of organic olive production in the region should offer its proposal to the 2016 meeting. IOC was established 70 years ago and currently 17 countries, including Iran, are members of the council. He added that the council expects member countries to observe world standards in olive production and trade. Barjol is to pay a visit to Zanjan and Gilan research stations on Wednesday.