Growing for Profit:

In our humble opinion the only way to grow Olives for Profit is by the hedge or fillet style method with close density plantings and over the row (OTR) harvesting. We have proved this method as have many growers in Europe over the last ten years. As evidenced by our winning the 1999 Best of Show for our Olive Oil from our first ever crush, at the only show we have ever entered. (see photos).

The major advantage of this method is the cost to harvest is at around 10-15% of the production cost of growing a opposed to 50-60% by hand picking or shaking.

A further advantage is the quality of the Olive Oil as the olives are picked in the absolute window of opportunity for picking being days not weeks and being able to pick in the cool of the night at around 10 ha per machine. We are aiming for 0.25% acidity for extra extra premium olive oil.

As the converted grape harvester or purpose built over the row olive harvester out of Italy knocks the fruit instead of shaking, we are able to pick when we want and not when the fruit will shake, which is past its best time to pick for quality. (See Burchell Nursery in the USA)

We use a 4m wide row by 4m spacing in the row and keep the tree to no wider than 600mm from planting and prune heavily on each side of the tree. With this method we are not aiming for high yields per tree as the close density compensates for this in achieving a similar yield per hectare with an enormous increase in quality and far less bi-annual bearing with these varieties as these are suited to this method.

Again growing for profit is the key as all growers know the cost to harvest in olive growing is the key to the profitability of olive oil growing and this method achieves that. All fruit and nut varieties in Europe are now growing with the hedge method where expensive land is involved, which was started by grapes, not that long ago they where grown as a bush also. (view an independent article on OTR)

If you would like to discuss this further or a joint venture or investment please email or call