Greek olive oil exports to the United States surged in the 2024/25 crop year, helping Greece secure fifth place among America’s top suppliers.
Greek olive oil has become one of the strongest pillars of the country’s agri-food export sector, combining premium quality with growing international demand. While Greece still trails the Mediterranean giants Spain and Italy in volume, its steady rise in the United States — one of the world’s most important olive oil markets — highlights the product’s expanding global footprint. According to the International Olive Council, U.S. olive oil imports reached 437,309 tonnes in the 2024/25 crop year, up 20.6% from the previous season. Spain, Italy, Tunisia and Türkiye remained the dominant suppliers, together accounting for 88.6% of the U.S. market.
Statistics published by the International Olive Council and reported by Greek financial outlet newmoney show that Greece ranked as the fifth-largest exporter of olive oil to the United States in the 2024/25 season, shipping 13,591 tonnes and capturing roughly 3% of the market. That placed Greece just behind Spain, Italy, Tunisia and Türkiye, while remaining level with Argentina in market share, though ahead in export volume.
What makes Greece’s performance stand out even more is the pace of its growth. Greek olive oil exports to the U.S. reportedly jumped 40% compared with the 2023/24 crop year, outperforming the growth rates of several larger competitors. The IOC’s latest report also confirms strong year-on-year gains among major exporters, underscoring the broader recovery in olive oil trade during the 2024/25 season.
The success of Greek olive oil in America did not happen overnight. Since 2010, exports have followed a broadly upward path, showing that Greece has been gradually building a stronger presence in a market often seen as a global barometer for food trade. This long-term progress reflects both the reputation of Greek extra virgin olive oil and a wider shift toward quality-driven exports.
A closer look at what Greece is exporting
Greek shipments to the U.S. remain heavily concentrated in higher-value categories. Extra virgin and virgin olive oils account for the overwhelming majority of exports, while refined and blended oils make up a smaller share. Retail-ready packaging also dominates, suggesting that much of Greece’s olive oil is entering the American market as branded consumer product rather than only as bulk commodity.
That trend matters. In a market as competitive as the United States, branding, packaging and origin identity can be just as important as volume. Greece may not yet rival Spain or Italy in sheer scale, but it has carved out a niche as a supplier of premium olive oil with strong quality credentials.
Tariffs still cloud the outlook
The trade environment, however, remains far from simple. The White House said in April 2025 that a 10% baseline tariff would apply to imports from all countries, and in February 2026 announced a temporary 10% ad valorem duty on imported articles for 150 days. That means tariff pressure remains a live issue for exporters, including olive oil producers.
Even so, Greece’s latest export gains suggest that demand for its olive oil in the U.S. remains resilient. If trade conditions improve and tariffs ease, Greek producers could be in an even stronger position to expand their foothold in one of the most influential food markets in the world.
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