by Francesca Gambin and Roberta Ruggeri
AIPO Economic Office
In the month of May 2025 the average price of extra virgin olive oil in Italy showed an increase of 2,3%, passing from €9,62/kg to €9,84/kgThis increase is attributable to a reduced availability of stocks, which are estimated to be 10% lower than the same period in 2024 and even 34% lower than the average of the last five years. This scarcity contributes to maintaining price levels in a current context of weakness in Mediterranean production and international interest in quality extra virgin olive oil.
The trend is different in the lower categories, Lampante oil went from €2,50/kg at the beginning of May to €2,30/kg at the end of the month, -8%. Also refined oil has undergone a reduction, going from €3,25/kg to €3,00/kg, -7,7%. These types, more frequently used in industrial processing or as a base for mixtures, seem to be affected by a lower tension on demand.
For virgin oil, an intermediate category between extra virgin and lampante, at the moment there are no significant data for the whole month, it maintained prices at around €6/kg like the previous month. It is likely that this segment will continue to experience a marginal position both on a commercial and media level.
Seed oils
Il comparison with seed oils further highlights the positioning of extra virgin olive oil. In May, sunflower oil prices remained between €2,50 and €3,00/kg, soya oil between €2,00 and €2,80/kg, while palm oil, which is generally cheaper and subject to greater environmental restrictions, remained between €1,50 and €2,50/kg. the price gap compared to the EVO is wide and significant, confirming the premium nature of extra virgin, the use of which remains largely oriented towards domestic and quality gastronomic use.
Extra virgin olive oil consumption
From the point of view of consumption, Italy confirms itself as a positive anomaly in the European contextThe most recent data indicate a annual per capita consumption exceeding 7,5 kg of olive oil, of which most are extra virgin, and about 5 kg of seed oils. In percentage terms, extra virgin olive oil represents about 52% of total consumption of edible oils, while other olive oils, virgin, refined, pomace, account for 10%, leaving the remaining 38% to seed oils.
In conclusion, The month of May 2025 confirms a picture of stability in the prices of Italian extra virgin olive oil, supported by the scarcity of the product and a still strong demand, at least in the segments most attentive to quality. The lower categories and seed oils remain at lower and more stable price levels, offering an economical alternative but not qualitatively comparable.
It will be interesting to observe the evolution of residual stocks, the climate trend and the first forecasts for the 2025/2026 olive oil campaign in the coming months. In an increasingly demanding and competitive market, quality remains the main lever to enhance the Italian product, both on the domestic and foreign markets.
Dining and Cooking