n conjunction with the forestry department, indicted two managers and an officer of Carapelli, one of the brands of the Spanish company Grupo SOS (which recently changed its name to Deoleo). The charges involved falsified documents and food fraud. Carapelli lawyer Neri Pinucci said the company was not worried about the charges and that "the case is based on an irregularity in the documents."[46]
In February 2012, an alleged international olive oil scam occurred in which palm, avocado, sunflower and other cheaper oils were passed off as olive oil.[47] Spanish police said the oils were blended in an industrial biodiesel plant and adulterated in a way to hide markers that would have revealed their true nature. The oils were not toxic, however, and posed no health risk, according to a statement by the Guardia Civil. Nineteen people were arrested following the year-long joint probe by the police and Spanish tax authorities, part of what they call Operation Lucerna.[48]
Global consumption[edit]
Greece has by far the largest per capita consumption of olive oil worldwide, over 26 liters per person per year; Spain and Italy, around 14 l; Tunisia, Portugal, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, around 8 l. Northern Europe and North America consume far less, around 0.7 l, but the consumption of olive oil outside its home territory has been rising steadily.
Global market[edit]
The main producing and consuming countries are:
Country Production in tons (2010)[20] Production % (2010) Consumption (2005)[49] Annual per capita consumption (kg)[50]
World 3,269,248 100% 100% 0.43
Spain 1,487,000 45.5% 20% 13.62
Italy 548,500 16.8% 30% 12.35
Greece 352,800 10.8% 9% 23.7
Syria 177,400 5.4% 3% 7
Morocco 169,900 5.2% 2% 11.1
Turkey 161,600 4.9% 2% 1.2
Tunisia 160,100 4.9% 2% 5
Portugal 66,600 2.0% 2% 1.8
Algeria 33,600 1.0% 2% 7.1
Others 111,749 3.5% 28% 1.18
