Olives for oils
High Density Planting Normal tree spacing is 5’ x 12’ Can be planted as close as 3’ within row and 11’ between rows Top the tree at 8-9’ high Sucker below 24” T-post to hold wire Bamboo to hold trees Drip line
Land prep only requires a depth of 12” Water requirement is the highest in the first two years Annual water requirement is 16” – 18” Mechanically prune
Site selection You can grow on Class 4 soils Keep in mind, you must deliver crop to processer within 24 hours.
Pounds of nutrients per acre for olives Year Range of N Potassium 1 15-20 0 2 15-20 0 3 30-50 60 4+ 30-50 80
Harvest Machine harvest with a grape harvester Cost is $350 - $400 per acre
Production 2nd. year 500 lbs. 3rd. year 2.7 tons 121.5 gallons 4th year 4 tons 180 gallons 5th. + years 5 tons 225 gallons Some Varieties produce 50 gallons/ton The average yield since 2014 has ranged from 147 gallons to 273 gallons
Market Prices Since 2014 the market price has ranged from $13 - $19 per gallon. This season the prices are: Extra Virgin = $22 Virgin = $14 - $15 Refined Olive Oil = $2 - $3 https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/mkt/mkt/pdf/CA_Olive_Oil_Standards.pdf
How do they process Olive Oil Press Emulsify Chemical extraction What is meant by the term Extra Virgin?