Olive oil: Ban on transporting in cans

The Ministry of Finance is considering a ban on selling olive oil in traditional 17-liter cans as part of an effort to combat tax evasion in the olive oil sector.

New Measures

Administrative Fines: Transporting olive oil in cans will result in fines up to 5,000 euros.
Digital Registration: Producers will be required to fill out a digital shipping document and a harvest declaration, reporting the quantities of olives harvested and olive oil produced.
Exemptions: The use of cans is allowed only for personal use, professional use, or direct sale by the producer.
Objectives of the Plan The goal is to reduce black market activity, illegal blending, and to verify quantities for compensation claims.

Consumer Preferences Despite the legal uncertainty, consumers continue to prefer the cheaper option of bulk olive oil in cans. Prices for the 17-liter cans range from 120 to 140 euros (7-8 euros per kilo), significantly lower than the bottled, branded olive oil sold in retail stores. In some islands, prices have dropped below 100 euros.

The plan is still under discussion, but if implemented, it is expected to bring significant changes to the olive oil market.