Cultivation of the Olive: A Typical Tree of the Mediterranean Basin

Despite the high quality of its oil and the popularity of its fruit, the olive is losing ground to the oil seeds such as rape and sunflower. This article critically analyses the reason for this decline which can be attributed to, among other reasons, failure to modernize crop management and fruit processing; to introduce mechanization; and to accept improved cultivars. It argues that if its full potential is realized the crop can still be competitive.