Producers exporting olives to Lebanon: Black, green, and flavored olive varieties

Lebanon is a country with rich gastronomic traditions, particularly its olive oil and table olives. However, despite being a major olive and olive oil producer, Lebanon is generally known as a consumer and producer of olives and olive oil, not as an exporter. In fact, some years it imports olives to meet its own needs. Nevertheless, olive cultivation and processing activities are widespread in Lebanon, with southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the mountainous regions being particularly popular. However, producers exporting olives to Lebanon generally come from the following countries: Countries and Producers Exporting Olives to Lebanon (Generally Imports) Because Lebanon cannot meet certain olive varieties through domestic production, it imports olives from countries such as Spain, Greece, Italy, and Turkey. The main producers and varieties involved in these imports are: 1. Spain: Spain is the world's largest olive producer and exporter. It exports olives to Lebanon, especially those presented for the green table. Important producers/companies: La Española (famous for its aromatic, stuffed olives) Carozzi (important brand in the Spanish market) Salinas (produces quality black and green olives) Exported varieties: Green Manzanilla olives (stuffed: garlic, walnut, spicy) Black olives (ripened by oxidation method) Flavored olives (thyme, lemon, garlic) 2. Greece Greece is known especially for its black naturally ripe olives (Kalamata, Halkidiki). Producers: Minerva (famous for Halkidiki green olives) Gaea (organic and natural olive products) Exported varieties: Kalamata black olives (purplish, fleshy, richly flavored) Halkidiki green olives (stuffed or pickled in brine) Flavored olives with oregano 3. ItalyItalian olives are particularly high quality and processed using traditional methods. Producers: Carapelli (best known for their olive oil, but they also have olive products) Badia a Coltibuono (handmade, natural methods) Exported varieties: Gaeta black olives Ligurian green olives Garlic and peppery flavored olives 4. TurkeyTurkey is particularly strong in the production of green and black table olives. Olives are exported to Lebanon from provinces close to the border (Hatay, Adana, Mersin). Producers: Ülker Zeytin (a leading brand in the Turkish market), Narlı Zeytin (flavored olives with special recipes), Güney Zeytin (organic and traditional methods). Exported varieties: Black-ringed olives (ripened), Green stuffed olives, Garlic, spicy, and thyme-flavored olives. Olive Varieties Consumed in Lebanon. The following are particularly popular in Lebanon: Green olives: Stuffed with garlic, walnuts, and spicy olives. Black olives: Usually Spanish or locally produced. Flavored olives: Flavored with lemon peel, thyme, cumin, and garlic. Local production: Local olive varieties such as Sourani and Baladi also exist, but imported products predominate in volume. Conclusion: Since Lebanon is a country dependent on imports for olive consumption, producers exporting olives to Lebanon are generally major brands from Spain, Greece, Italy, and Turkey. These producers offer a variety of olives to the Lebanese market, including garlic, spicy, stuffed, flavored, black, and green. If you're a producer and want to export olives to Lebanon, it's recommended that you analyze the products of these countries and differentiate yourself with organic, natural, and traditionally processed products. Additionally, flavorful olives that complement Lebanon's rich meze culture can be developed.