Cyprus olive oil is grappling with serious weaknesses in EU regulations that jeopardise consumer confidence, according to a recent report by the European Court of Auditors.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
- Cyprus olive oil is grappling with serious weaknesses in EU regulations that jeopardise consumer confidence, according to a recent report by the European Court of Auditors.
The report highlights significant gaps in traceability and marketing, particularly in producing countries like Cyprus, where the quality of olive oil is high but often goes unrecognised. Much of the island’s olive oil is exported in bulk to Italy, where it is blended with other oils and sold at a premium, leaving local producers undervalued.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Nicolas Netien, an olive oil expert based in Cyprus, emphasised the disconnect between the genuine quality of local oils and their representation in the market. “Greek and Cypriot olive oils are among the highest quality in the Mediterranean, yet they are systematically sold in bulk to Italy where they are blended and marketed as Italian extra virgin,” he noted.
According to the report, 93 per cent of olive oil samples tested across the EU met legal chemical requirements. However, the auditors flagged ongoing issues with storage conditions, oversight, and the ability of authorities to trace oils back to their origins, despite this being a legal requirement.
Netien pointed out that merely passing chemical tests does not guarantee the quality of extra virgin olive oil. “You can pass every laboratory test and still have defects in the oil. Only trained tasting panels can identify sensory faults, and this step is missing in most production chains across Europe,” he cautioned.
Cyprus benefits from a favourable climate that enhances the flavour and health properties of its olive oil, yet weaknesses at the processing level persist, particularly in smaller mills. “Some mills are still using outdated three-phase systems,” Netien explained. “Chemical analysis may look fine, but defects caused by oxidation, contamination, or poor hygiene can go unnoticed.”
Marketing also remains a significant hurdle for Cypriot olive oil. “Italian buyers value it because it raises the quality of their blends, not because Cyprus is recognised as a premium origin,” he said. This lack of recognition limits the potential for local producers to achieve fair value for their high-quality products.
The audit underscored traceability issues, especially for small producers who often lack the training and resources required to meet complex regulatory demands. “Many small-scale producers make exceptional olive oil, but they have no cooperative structure and no way to meet complex traceability requirements on their own,” Netien stated, insisting that this should be a strength for Cyprus.
The auditors also identified gaps in monitoring contaminants beyond pesticides, with plastic residues presenting a particular concern. Netien elaborated, “Olive oil absorbs contaminants very easily, they can come from machinery lubricants, packaging materials, or the wrong plastics used in mills.”
Storage and transport practices were also highlighted as risk factors, with Netien warning that plastic containers can interact negatively with olive oil. He advocated for the use of glass storage and nitrogen protection as standard practices, although adoption remains inconsistent across the industry.
Imported olive oil has emerged as another area of concern. While imports account for approximately nine per cent of EU consumption, few member states include them in risk-based inspection plans. In Italy, no major imported consignments were tested in 2023 or 2024, while Spain tested only three samples for pesticide residues over a five-year period.
The health ministry of Cyprus stated it is closely examining the findings of the report. A ministry spokesman remarked, “Cyprus already maintains strong food safety controls, but this report shows that more detailed monitoring of certain contaminants is needed.” They emphasised the importance of clearer EU-level guidance and stronger coordination on imports, traceability, and storage standards.
The European Commission has accepted all recommendations from the auditors, committing to enhance oversight, improve traceability guidance, and include imports in future risk assessments. The European Court of Auditors concluded that the challenges faced are not due to widespread fraud but rather uneven implementation of existing regulations, leaving consumers reliant on reforms that are still being developed.
