Italian hackles rise over Tunisian olive oil

The EU’s decision on Thursday to remove customs duty on olive oil from Tunisia has brought Italian producers to their feet.

Some 70,000 tonnes of Tunisian olive oil imports over the coming two years may be imported without customs charges. The decision is part of a plan to help Tunisia’s struggling economy.

But the move has been criticised by the Italian farmers association Coldiretti which fears the cheaper import could easily be mixed with Italian oil and falsely sold as 'Made in Italy' for a premium price on the international market.

As a result, the market could be flooded with imposter oils.

“It doesn't help Tunisian producers, harms Italian ones and increases the risk that consumers will be exposed to fraud,” said Coldiretti president Roberto Moncalvo.

Coldiretti should know as the practice of palming off cheaper oils as extra virgin was already widespread in Italy among Italian producers who did not appear to be so fussed about the ‘Made in Italy’ brand.

Last year before the duty came down Tunisian oil imports shot up 481%.

Some of the increase was triggered by a poor harvest in 2014 as well as the spread of the bacterium Xyella which has killed off many ancient olive trees in southern Italy.

“The removal of taxes will only increase exports for Tunisian farmers by three percent. It's difficult to see how that is enough to benefit its rural economies,” Moncalvo added.

But Brussels stood firm and the vote was carried by a large majority.

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