89 Virgin Olive Oil Benefits 6.1. Introduction According to the International Olive Council (IOC) (2021), worldwide olive oil production during 2020/2021 was around 3200000 tonnes. Mozas (2019) states that such a production represented a turnover approximately 13000 million euros and provided employment to 30 million individuals. About 70% of the world’s olive oil is made within the “European Union” (EU) in around 4 million hectares located principally in the Mediterranean countries. The main producer is Spain which represents about 50% of worldwide production. Such an activity is of great importance for the country as it is deeply rooted at cultural, gastronomic, topographical, social, and environmental levels. The “European Union” (EU) Commission in its report on the “EU agricultural outlook for markets, income and environment 2020-2030” states that a growth in EU olive oil production is expected, driven by higher yields due to a rise in intensive and super intensive cultivation systems. Moreover, domestic olive oil consumption, with increasingly informed consumers, is expected to augment as a result of sustainability concerns and health awareness, in all the world, and particularly in non-producing countries. According to the same report, by 2030 such an increase could reach 26% of the total olive oil consumption in the UE compared to 19% in 2019. In addition, EU olive oil exports are expected to rise by 5% per year. 6.2. Context of olive oil production The issues referred to above define the socioeconomic and institutional frameworks currently affecting the situation of olive oil. Within this context, it is worth mentioning the “One Health” initiative, an approach to designing and implementing programmes, policies, legislation, and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes. The ‘One Health’ approach is critical to addressing health threats in the animal, human, and environment interface (Figure 6.1). Figure 6.1: One Health initiative from the “World Health Organization” tt
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