Olivum – Association of Olive Growers and Lagares do Sul, headquartered in Beja, told Lusa that the campaign “starts on 15 October” and, taking into account data from the National Statistics Institute and Pordata portal, “a record production of 150,000 tonnes of olive oil” is expected in Portugal.

In the Alentejo, responsible for “85 percent” of the oil produced in the country, a “record” production is also expected said the executive director of Olivum, Gonçalo Almeida Simões.

The expected production “is a concerted combination of the sector's growth, the precision technology applied to the sector and the good climatic conditions this year”, said Gonçalo Almeida Simões.

The official also argued that the sector "is at the 'top' of the rankings in terms of environmental sustainability", given the "reduced use of water", a "low application of phytopharmaceuticals" and a "relevant carbon sequestration".

Portugal is currently the eighth largest national olive oil producer in the world, with the modern olive grove “responsible for 80 percent of the national olive oil production”.

The country is still the first in the world “in terms of quality”, by producing “95 percent of virgin and extra virgin olive oil”, ahead of the United States of America, Spain and Italy, added the association.