Latest news with #InternationalOliveCouncil
Iraq Business
30-04-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraqi-Spanish Company to grow Olives in Wasit
By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani chaired the regular meeting of Iraq's Higher Committee for Construction and Investment on Sunday, reviewing agenda items and proposed projects, and making key decisions. He underscored the need to simplify administrative procedures to support the investment environment and called on ministries to focus efforts on projects that maximise state revenues, aligning with the government's financial and economic reform strategy. The committee approved several residential projects and endorsed the establishment of the largest olive farm in Wasit Governorate by an Iraqi-Spanish investment company - a project resulting from Al-Sudani's visit to Spain last year, where he met the President of the International Olive Council. Discussions also included new healthcare initiatives, notably a proposed early cancer detection centre. The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Health to review the project and submit a report to the Investment Committee for further consideration. (Source: Prime Minister's Office)
Daily News Egypt
14-04-2025
- Science
- Daily News Egypt
Olive oil at risk: Climate change threatens Mediterranean's ‘liquid gold'
Olive oil, a staple of Mediterranean culture and cuisine, is facing an unprecedented environmental threat. A new scientific study published this month in Communications Earth & Environment reveals that growing water stress and a projected decline in solar activity could severely undermine olive production across the Mediterranean—home to more than 98% of the world's supply. The research, led by an international team of scientists, used 8,000 years of fossil pollen records to reconstruct the history of olive tree productivity and examine the long-term factors shaping yields. The findings suggest that changes in temperature, rainfall, and solar radiation will reduce the resilience of olive groves—especially in arid and semi-arid regions—posing serious challenges to farmers and economies that depend on olive cultivation. 'Most studies focus on short-term climate variability. What we're showing is that there are long-term climatic rhythms—including solar cycles—that have shaped olive productivity over millennia. These cycles are now being disrupted,' said lead author Samuel Luterbacher, a climate scientist at the University of Giessen in Germany. Olive Groves on the Edge The study identifies three key climatic drivers of olive productivity: photosynthesis, water availability, and solar irradiance. These factors collectively determine the trees' ability to flower and bear fruit. Researchers found that historical periods of drought and low solar activity were strongly correlated with sharp declines in olive pollen—used as a proxy for fruit yield. Drawing on data from across the Mediterranean—including Syria, Palestine, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Spain—the team modelled past climate impacts and projected them into the future. The results are sobering: as global temperatures rise and precipitation patterns shift, olive trees will likely face increased water stress, particularly during sensitive stages like flowering and fruiting. Adding to the concern, the study warns that the sun may be entering a new 'grand solar minimum'—a prolonged period of reduced solar radiation. The last such event, the Maunder Minimum in the 17th century, coincided with the Little Ice Age, a time of global cooling and agricultural disruption. A decline in solar activity would reduce energy available for photosynthesis, further affecting olive yields. This combination of environmental stressors—drought and diminished sunlight—creates what researchers call a 'perfect storm' that could devastate olive agriculture across the region. A Cultural and Economic Crisis in the Making The implications extend well beyond agriculture. Olive oil is not only a nutritional cornerstone but also an economic lifeline in countries like Spain, Italy, Greece, and Tunisia. According to the International Olive Council, over 6.7 million families depend on olive farming for their livelihoods. Egypt, while not yet among the top producers, has expanded olive cultivation in recent years—particularly in desert reclamation zones. However, experts warn that this strategy may be at risk if water resources become more strained under a changing climate. 'This research underscores the urgency of adapting our agricultural practices,' said Mohamed Dawood, an Egyptian agricultural engineer specializing in arid land farming. 'In Egypt, many of our new olive plantations are in marginal lands where water efficiency is already a challenge. If the climate becomes drier and solar radiation declines, yields will suffer unless we change how we manage irrigation and soil health.' The study urges a fundamental rethink in olive grove management. Among the key recommendations: investing in drought-resilient cultivars, enhancing soil moisture retention strategies, and reassessing where olives can viably be grown in the future. The Climate Clock Is Ticking This research arrives amid mounting climate disruptions. Across the Mediterranean, extreme heatwaves and shifting rainfall patterns have already begun to impact crop yields. In 2023, Spain—one of the world's largest olive oil producers—suffered a 50% drop in production due to severe drought. 'This is not just a warning about the distant future,' said co-author Ines Álvarez of the University of Jaén in Spain. 'We are already seeing the effects of climate change on olive groves. What our study adds is a deeper understanding of the natural cycles that have supported olive production for thousands of years—and how these cycles are being thrown off balance.' The authors argue that national and regional policies must urgently support sustainable water use, biodiversity preservation, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to safeguard the future of olive production. For Egypt—positioning itself as a future hub for olive oil production and exports—this could be a pivotal moment to embrace climate-smart agriculture. As olive trees across the Mediterranean quietly signal distress, the message is clear: the region's liquid gold is in danger, and time is running out.
Daily Tribune
30-03-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Tunisian startup turns olive waste into clean energy
For generations, rural households in Tunisia have burned olive waste for cooking and heating, or used it as animal feed. In a northern Tunisian olive grove, Yassine Khelifi's small workshop hums as a large machine turns olive waste into a valuable energy source in a country heavily reliant on imported fuel. Holding a handful of compacted olive residue — a thick paste left over from oil extraction — Khelifi says, "This is what we need today. How can we turn something worthless into wealth?" An employee operates a machine that turns olive pomace into heating briquettes at the grounds of the startup Bioheat, on March 3, 2025, in Sanhaja near Tunis. The soul of olives Selim Sahli, 40, who runs a guesthouse, said he replaced traditional firewood with Khelifi's briquettes for heating and cooking. "It's an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative," he said. "It's clean, easy to use, and has reduced my heating costs by a third." Mohamed Harrar, the owner of a pizza shop on the outskirts of Tunis, praised the briquettes for reducing smoke emissions, which he said previously irritated his neighbors. "Besides, this waste carries the soul of Tunisian olives and gives the pizza a special flavor," he added. For generations, rural households in Tunisia have burned olive waste for cooking and heating or used it as animal feed. The International Olive Council estimated Tunisia will be the world's third-largest olive oil producer in 2024-2025, with an expected yield of 340,000 tonnes. The waste generated by the oil extraction is staggering. Khelifi, an engineer who grew up in a family of farmers, founded Bioheat in 2022 to tackle the issue. He recalled watching workers in olive mills use the olive residue as fuel. "I always wondered how this material could burn for so long without going out," he said. "That's when I asked myself: 'Why not turn it into energy?'" Beyond profit, Khelifi hopes his startup helps "reduce the use of firewood as the country faces deforestation and climate change." At his workshop, employees transport truckloads of olive waste, stacking it high before feeding it into the processing machines. The material is then compacted into cylindrical briquettes and left to dry for a month under the sun and in greenhouses before its packaging and sale. Khelifi began developing his idea in 2018 after he traveled across Europe searching for a machine to turn the olive paste into long-burning fuel. Unable to find the right technology, he returned to Tunisia and spent four years experimenting with various motors and mechanical parts. By 2021, he had developed a machine that produced briquettes with just eight-percent moisture. He said this amount significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to firewood, which requires months of drying and often retains more than double the amount of moisture. Bioheat found a market among Tunisian restaurants, guesthouses, and schools in underdeveloped regions, where winter temperatures at times drop below freezing. But the majority of its production — about 60 percent — is set for exports to France and Canada, Khelifi said. The company now employs 10 people and is targeting production of 600 tonnes of briquettes in 2025, he added.
Arab News
29-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Tunisian startup turns olive waste into clean energy
SANHAJA, Tunisia: In a northern Tunisian olive grove, Yassine Khelifi's small workshop hums as a large machine turns olive waste into a valuable energy source in a country heavily reliant on imported fuel. Holding a handful of compacted olive residue — a thick paste left over from oil extraction — Khelifi said: 'This is what we need today. How can we turn something worthless into wealth?' For generations, rural households in Tunisia have burned olive waste for cooking and heating, or used it as animal feed. The International Olive Council estimated Tunisia will be the world's third-largest olive oil producer in 2024-2025, with an expected yield of 340,000 tons. The waste generated by the oil extraction is staggering. Khelifi, an engineer who grew up in a family of farmers, founded Bioheat in 2022 to tackle the issue. He recalled watching workers in olive mills use the olive residue as fuel. 'I always wondered how this material could burn for so long without going out,' he said. 'That's when I asked myself: 'Why not turn it into energy?'' Beyond profit, Khelifi hopes his startup helps 'reducing the use of firewood as the country faces deforestation and climate change.' At his workshop, employees transport truckloads of olive waste, stacking it high before feeding it into the processing machines. The material is then compacted into cylindrical briquettes and left to dry for a month under the sun and in greenhouses before its packaging and sale. Khelifi began developing his idea in 2018 after he traveled across Europe searching for a machine to turn the olive paste into long-burning fuel. Unable to find the right technology, he returned to Tunisia and spent four years experimenting with various motors and mechanical parts. By 2021, he had developed a machine that produced briquettes with just eight-percent moisture. He said this amount significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to firewood, which requires months of drying and often retains more than double the amount of moisture. Bioheat found a market among Tunisian restaurants, guesthouses, and schools in underdeveloped regions, where winter temperatures at times drop below freezing. But the majority of its production — about 60 percent — is set for exports to France and Canada, Khelifi said. The company now employs 10 people and is targeting production of 600 tons of briquettes in 2025, he added. Selim Sahli, 40, who runs a guesthouse, said he replaced traditional firewood with Khelifi's briquettes for heating and cooking. 'It's an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative,' he said. 'It's clean, easy to use, and has reduced my heating costs by a third.' Mohamed Harrar, the owner of a pizza shop on the outskirts of Tunis, praised the briquettes for reducing smoke emissions, which he said previously irritated his neighbors. 'Besides, this waste carries the soul of Tunisian olives and gives the pizza a special flavour,' he added. Given Tunisia's significant olive oil production, waste byproducts pose both a challenge and an opportunity. Noureddine Nasr, an agricultural and rural development expert, said around 600,000 tons of olive waste is produced annually. 'Harnessing this waste can protect the environment, create jobs, and generate wealth,' he said. Nasr believes repurposing olive waste could also help alleviate Tunisia's heavy dependence on imported fuel. The country imports more than 60 percent of its energy needs, a reliance that widens its trade deficit and strains government subsidies, according to a 2023 World Bank report. Fuel and gas shortages are common during winter, particularly in Tunisia's northwestern provinces, where households struggle to keep warm. Redirecting agricultural waste into alternative energy sources could ease this burden. Yet for entrepreneurs like Khelifi, launching a startup in Tunisia is fraught with challenges. 'The biggest hurdle was funding,' he said, lamenting high-interest bank loans. 'It felt like walking on a road full of potholes.' But now his goal is 'to leave my mark as a key player in Tunisia's transition to clean energy,' he added. 'And hopefully, the world's, too.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
29-03-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Tunisian Startup Turns Olive Waste into Clean Energy
In a northern Tunisian olive grove, Yassine Khelifi's small workshop hums as a large machine turns olive waste into a valuable energy source in a country heavily reliant on imported fuel. Holding a handful of compacted olive residue -- a thick paste left over from oil extraction -- Khelifi said: "This is what we need today. How can we turn something worthless into wealth?" For generations, rural households in Tunisia have burned olive waste for cooking and heating, or used it as animal feed. The International Olive Council estimated Tunisia will be the world's third-largest olive oil producer in 2024-2025, with an expected yield of 340,000 tons. The waste generated by the oil extraction is staggering. Khelifi, an engineer who grew up in a family of farmers, founded Bioheat in 2022 to tackle the issue. He recalled watching workers in olive mills use the olive residue as fuel. "I always wondered how this material could burn for so long without going out," he said. "That's when I asked myself: 'Why not turn it into energy?'" Beyond profit, Khelifi hopes his startup helps "reducing the use of firewood as the country faces deforestation and climate change". At his workshop, employees transport truckloads of olive waste, stacking it high before feeding it into the processing machines. The material is then compacted into cylindrical briquettes and left to dry for a month under the sun and in greenhouses before its packaging and sale. - The soul of olives - Khelifi began developing his idea in 2018 after he travelled across Europe searching for a machine to turn the olive paste into long-burning fuel. Unable to find the right technology, he returned to Tunisia and spent four years experimenting with various motors and mechanical parts. By 2021, he had developed a machine that produced briquettes with just eight-percent moisture. He said this amount significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to firewood, which requires months of drying and often retains more than double the amount of moisture. Bioheat found a market among Tunisian restaurants, guesthouses, and schools in underdeveloped regions, where winter temperatures at times drop below freezing. But the majority of its production -- about 60 percent -- is set for exports to France and Canada, Khelifi said. The company now employs 10 people and is targeting production of 600 tons of briquettes in 2025, he added. Selim Sahli, 40, who runs a guesthouse, said he replaced traditional firewood with Khelifi's briquettes for heating and cooking. "It's an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative," he said. "It's clean, easy to use, and has reduced my heating costs by a third." Mohamed Harrar, the owner of a pizza shop on the outskirts of Tunis, praised the briquettes for reducing smoke emissions, which he said previously irritated his neighbors. "Besides, this waste carries the soul of Tunisian olives and gives the pizza a special flavor," he added. - 'Protect the environment' - Given Tunisia's significant olive oil production, waste byproducts pose both a challenge and an opportunity. Noureddine Nasr, an agricultural and rural development expert, said around 600,000 tons of olive waste is produced annually. "Harnessing this waste can protect the environment, create jobs, and generate wealth," he said. Nasr believes repurposing olive waste could also help alleviate Tunisia's heavy dependence on imported fuel. The country imports more than 60 percent of its energy needs, a reliance that widens its trade deficit and strains government subsidies, according to a 2023 World Bank report. Fuel and gas shortages are common during winter, particularly in Tunisia's northwestern provinces, where households struggle to keep warm. Redirecting agricultural waste into alternative energy sources could ease this burden. Yet for entrepreneurs like Khelifi, launching a startup in Tunisia is fraught with challenges. "The biggest hurdle was funding," he said, lamenting high-interest bank loans. "It felt like walking on a road full of potholes." But now his goal is "to leave my mark as a key player in Tunisia's transition to clean energy," he added. "And hopefully, the world's, too."
