Impact of Moroccan and Tunisian Olive Oil on the U.S. Market
The Spanish olive oil industry, long considered the gold standard in the United States, is facing significant challenges as competitors from Morocco and Tunisia make remarkable inroads into the market. Over the last quarter-century, the consumption of olive oil in the United States has skyrocketed, establishing the country as the second-largest consumer globally, trailing only Spain. With a population exceeding 300 million, the U.S. has relied heavily on Spanish imports to satisfy its olive oil demand. However, recent sales data from the first half of the year raises alarms for the national olive oil sector, revealing a concerning trend: a notable surge in competition from across the Mediterranean.
Explosive Growth of Competitors
According to statistical reports accessed by the media outlet Olimerca, both Tunisia and Morocco have seen substantial increases in their olive oil exports to the United States, encompassing both bulk and bottled varieties. Tunisia's total sales have surged by 47% compared to the previous year, nearing 60,000 tons, while Morocco has witnessed a staggering growth of 148%, reaching 3,000 tons in sales. This growth is particularly striking given the backdrop of tariff policies implemented by the Trump administration, which impose surcharges of 25% to 28% on Tunisian olive oil. In contrast, Morocco benefits from being a key ally to Washington in North Africa, enjoying lower tariffs of just 10%, making it a significant regional beneficiary.
Other countries, including Argentina, Australia, and Chile, are also ramping up their olive oil exports; however, they still lag far behind the dominant suppliers like Spain, Italy, and Turkey. The ongoing tariff war initiated by the U.S. government is affecting its own olive oil market as well, with a reported 9% decline in olive oil imports, totaling 142,000 tons in the early months of the year. This downturn is similarly impacting major suppliers such as Italy, which has experienced a 40% drop in its exports to its primary international market.
Spain is not immune to these pressures; reports from the Chamber of Commerce indicate that Spanish olive oil exports plummeted by 29% in 2025 due to the tariff impositions. As the competition intensifies and market dynamics shift, the future of Spain's olive oil dominance in the U.S. hangs in the balance.
As reported by as.com.
