Higher over the period
South America Olive Oil Production per Capita moved from 0.369 Kilogram in 2015 to 0.552 Kilogram in 2023 (+49.6%), an average of +5.2% a year. The series high was 0.570 Kilogram in 2021 and the low 0.300 Kilogram in 2016.
What South America Olive Oil Production per Capita shows
South America Olive Oil Production per Capita was 0.552 Kilogram in 2023, down 0.8% on 2022. South America Olive Oil Production per Capita showed a growing but fluctuating trend between 2015 and 2023, reflecting changes in olive cultivation, harvest conditions, agricultural productivity, and regional production performance. The indicator started at 368.89 grams per capita in 2015 and declined to 299.60 grams in 2016.
A 47.5% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2016) is 0.271 Kilogram. The sharpest single-year move was +54.9% in 2017.
Chile leads the region
Within South America, Chile has the highest value in 2023 at 1.18 Kilogram.
Country ranking
Olive Oil Production per Capita by country, 2023
Kilogram. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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By region
Olive Oil Production per Capita by region
Kilogram, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
South America Olive Oil Production per Capita by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Kilogram.
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| Year | Kilogram | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0.552 | −0.8% |
| 2022 | 0.556 | −2.5% |
| 2021Peak | 0.570 | +8.5% |
| 2020 | 0.526 | +1.7% |
| 2019 | 0.517 | +49.5% |
| 2018 | 0.346 | −25.5% |
| 2017 | 0.464 | +54.9% |
| 2016 Trough | 0.300 | −18.8% |
| 2015 | 0.369 | — |
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Olive Oil Production per Capita — Olive Oil Production per Capita refers to the annual quantity of olive oil produced in a country relative to its population size, measured in grams or kilograms per person. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-level production measure with values available across selected years. The indicator allows comparison of olive oil production performance between countries by adjusting total production according to population size.
The data includes annual olive oil production volumes from cultivated olive crops used for olive oil extraction, converted into a per capita measurement using national population data. It covers olive oil output from agricultural production activities and reflects changes influenced by olive cultivation areas, harvest cycles, climatic conditions, farming practices, and production efficiency. The indicator includes country-level production estimates reported for the selected period and supports analysis of trends in the global olive oil sector.
The data excludes olive oil consumption, imports, exports, retail sales, market prices, and individual household usage. It does not measure the amount of olive oil available or consumed per person, as produced olive oil may be exported, stored, processed, or distributed through different supply chains. The indicator also excludes production of other edible oils such as sunflower oil, soybean oil, palm oil, and other vegetable oils. Differences may occur due to variations in agricultural data collection methods, production estimates, and population calculations used for per capita conversion.
About this indicator
Olive Oil Production per Capita — Olive Oil Production per Capita refers to the annual quantity of olive oil produced in a country relative to its population size, measured in grams or kilograms per person. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-level production measure with values available across selected years. The indicator allows comparison of olive oil production performance between countries by adjusting total production according to population size.
Production recovered significantly in 2017, reaching 464.03 grams per capita, before decreasing slightly to 345.59 grams in 2018. The indicator increased strongly in 2019, reaching 516.68 grams, and continued improving in 2020 with 525.70 grams per capita. Production reached its highest level in 2021 at 570.17 grams before declining slightly to 556.09 grams in 2022 and 551.85 grams in 2023.
The overall trend indicates that South America experienced strong improvement in olive oil production per capita during the period, despite annual variations. Countries such as Chile and Argentina contributed significantly to regional production, with Chile showing particularly strong per capita output levels throughout the period. The increase from 2016 onward highlights improvements in olive cultivation, production efficiency, and agricultural development across the region.
Olive Oil Production per Capita measures the quantity of olive oil produced compared with population size and provides a population-adjusted assessment of production capacity. This indicator does not represent consumption, as olive oil production may be exported, stored, processed, or distributed through domestic and international markets.
South America’s olive oil sector has expanded through investments in modern cultivation techniques, improved farming practices, and the development of suitable olive-growing regions. The 2015–2023 data highlights a positive production trajectory, with growth followed by stabilization at higher production levels. Monitoring this indicator helps evaluate regional agricultural performance, compare country-level production trends, and understand South America’s increasing role in the global olive oil industry.
- Indicator
- Olive Oil Production per Capita
- Region
- South America
- Unit
- Kilogram
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- August 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is South America Olive Oil Production per Capita?
Olive Oil Production per Capita refers to the annual quantity of olive oil produced in a country relative to its population size, measured in grams or kilograms per person. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-level production measure with values available across selected years. The indicator allows comparison of olive oil production performance between countries by adjusting total production according to population size.
What was South America Olive Oil Production per Capita in 2023?
South America Olive Oil Production per Capita was 0.552 Kilogram in 2023, down 0.8% on 2022.
How has South America Olive Oil Production per Capita changed between 2015 and 2023?
South America Olive Oil Production per Capita moved from 0.369 Kilogram in 2015 to 0.552 Kilogram in 2023 (+49.6%), an average of +5.2% a year. The series high was 0.570 Kilogram in 2021 and the low 0.300 Kilogram in 2016.
Which year had the highest and lowest South America Olive Oil Production per Capita?
The highest value was 0.570 Kilogram in 2021 and the lowest was 0.300 Kilogram in 2016.
What does the South America Olive Oil Production per Capita data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes annual olive oil production volumes from cultivated olive crops used for olive oil extraction, converted into a per capita measurement using national population data. It covers olive oil output from agricultural production activities and reflects changes influenced by olive cultivation areas, harvest cycles, climatic conditions, farming practices, and production efficiency. The indicator includes country-level production estimates reported for the selected period and supports analysis of trends in the global olive oil sector. Excluded: The data excludes olive oil consumption, imports, exports, retail sales, market prices, and individual household usage. It does not measure the amount of olive oil available or consumed per person, as produced olive oil may be exported, stored, processed, or distributed through different supply chains. The indicator also excludes production of other edible oils such as sunflower oil, soybean oil, palm oil, and other vegetable oils. Differences may occur due to variations in agricultural data collection methods, production estimates, and population calculations used for per capita conversion.
Where does the South America Olive Oil Production per Capita data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&time=2015..2023&Food=Olive+oil&Metric=Production&Per+capita=true&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Kilogram.
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