Opportunities in OLIVES

摘要

Olives grown for extra virgin olive oil are enjoying a resurgence of planting in California, fueled by huge market potential and the fruit's suitability for mechanical harvest. Jeff Colombini of Lodi Farming, Inc., now has more olives planted than cherries, a move connected to his company's vertical integration with the establishment of an olive oil mill. Olives are not a new crop in California, first brought to the state in the late 1700s by Spaniards when the missions were built. For much of the last century, California was the number-one producer of domestic table olives. But planting new dwarfing varieties for extra virgin olive oil is a trend that's taken off in the Golden State in the last 15 years, and is one that's expected to continue.