Olive Oil Consumption by Country 2024

Olives are amazing, but not everyone loves them. And that’s OK – whether black or green, stuffed, or pitted, they all have a distinct flavor and texture that either you like or dislike. But where olive oil is concerned, there are many more fans than detractors.

After all, olive oil is recommended by many health professionals as a “better” oil for cooking than butter, lard, or cooking spray. As an essential part of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil has an important role in reducing inflammation, aiding digestion, and boosting overall health, whether part of your meal or sipped at a different point in the day. Even a tablespoon a day can help.

The health benefits and taste have helped olive oil continue to be popular around the world, starting in the Mediterranean countries, but also in areas of the world that provide a welcome climate for olive groves, such as southern California.

When looking at total olive oil consumption per capita, Greece leads the world, using about 24 liters per person per year, Numbers vary by year, but generally, it’s at least 20 liters -- more than 5 gallons.

Spain is also a prime olive oil-producing and consuming country, with the average person consuming 14.2 liters per year. This is followed by Italy, with 11.3 liters, Portugal, with 8.0 liters and Turkey with 2.2.

When looking at other sources of data, other countries are also well-represented. For instance, the European Union, which includes Greece, Spain, and Italy, is the top consumer, with 1,345,000 metric tons in 2022-2023.

Interestingly, while the United States is a big importer and exporter of olive oil, actual consumption per capita is low, about 1.1 liters per person. Canada is similar, about 1.3 liters.

However, this figure has been growing annually as more people consider adding it to their diet for health reasons. Centra Foods, a supplier of bulk olive oil and edible oil ingredients, said about 50 percent of U.S. homes have some kind of olive oil, which is up from 30 percent even five years ago.

The North American Olive Oil Association said the U.S. consumes only about 9 percent of the global total, placing it third overall. Italy represents about 21 percent, Spain 19 percent, and Greece 7 percent – although it is popular here and has great penetration, the country has a relatively small population overall.