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Marseille, the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur region of France and European Capital of Culture 2013, is to be the setting for the upcoming 41st meeting of the IOC’s Advisory Committee on Olive Oil and Table Olives.
A fundamental talking partner for the IOC, this committee is made up of industry representatives from all the member countries. It was established as a forum for two-way dialogue between the private sector and the IOC where business circles can voice their opinions and concerns to the institution and the IOC can tap industry insight.
The first of the committee’s two meetings this year on 8 and 9 July will be generously hosted by AFIDOL, the French Olive Interbranch Association (http://www.afidol.org), a private body created in 1999 bringing together stakeholders – olive growers, olive oil mills, table olive processors, packers and olive nurseries – from France’s olive and olive oil industry.
Over the two days, committee representatives will discuss a slate of issues. The IOC will be looking for input on quality strategies and the ongoing debate on the future of the IOC and the prospective new International Agreement, as well as recommendations for trade fairs/shows at which to organise an IOC press/conference reception this year on the themes of the world economy and health. Representatives will be informed at length about IOC action plans in the economic, technical, chemistry and promotional areas.
The two-day programme will feature a field trip, including an olive oil and wine tasting and tour of an olive oil mill at a local estate.
AFIDOL has very kindly invited the signatory associations of the quality control agreement in import markets to hold their 42nd meeting in Marseille too.
France at a glance:
- Olive acreage: 55,000 ha
· Olive oil:
- Production: approx. 4, 000 t
- Consumption: approx. 112,000 t
· Table olives
- Production: approx. 1, 000 t
- Consumption: approx. 56,000 t
More than 98% of the olive oil imported by France is extra virgin grade
