Olive oil imports up 60% to 4,187 tonne in 2010

India's import of olive oil in the 2010 calender year rose by almost 60% to about 4,187 tonne on the back of increase in consumption, according to an industry body.

The country had imported 2,617 tonne in the corresponding period of the previous year, Indian Olive Association said in a statement.

Major importers of olive oil in 2010 were Italy and Spain, followed by Turkey.

"Italy and Spain together constitute more than 90% of India's imports. Import from Turkey, for which accurate data is not yet available, conservatively constitutes about 5% of the total imports," Indian Olive Association President V N Dalmia told PTI.

Imports from the other notable olive oil producing nations like Greece, Syria, Tunisia are virtually nil, the statement said.

Among the total imports from Spain and Italy in 2010, which is around 3,988 tonne, 54% came from Spain and 46% from Italy, Dalmia added.

Break-up of the total imports of olive oil includes, virgin olive oil at 22%, olive oil at 50% and olive pomace oil constitutes 26%, the statement added.