Primary Industry
Issue No. 4 - February/March 2002
The Coonalpyn olive project
Olive oil has been touted as the Next Big Agricultural Thing. Hard to imagine for a basic foodstuff, but looking at the figures you begin to see sense.
The Coonalypn Olive Project, orchestrated by Playford Management, is the largest olive oil project in the state and in April last year issued a prospectus for Stage 2 (299ha planned) after successfully planting Stage 1.
“We have planted 201 hectares in total and we anticipate some cropping in 2003, with significant cropping from 2004,” says the project’s executive director, Paul Miller.
Stage 2’s final size depends on investor reaction, but Paul appears confident that a 500 ha total is on the cards. A new 10-year contract with Inglewood Olive Processors, makers of the Viva brand, to take a portion of the crop will keep the operation flexible.
So, what will make the world want Australian olives? Low cost? Unique flavour from distinctive varieties?
“We’ve found that o...



