Do You Have a Small Olive Oil Production and Want to Bottle It Under Your Own Brand? This step, which excites so many olive grove heirs and entrepreneurs in the olive oil sector, involves complying with a number of legal, technical, and administrative requirements that are essential for marketing your Extra Virgin Olive Oil with full guarantees. At ESAO, we help you understand and comply with each of these steps. Here, we explain what you need to launch your olive oil brand without getting lost in paperwork, registrations, or regulations.
This is the first—and one of the most important—steps. To sell bottled olive oil, you must have a health registration that certifies you as a food business operator.
There are two main scenarios:
If you have your own mill or bottle on your estate, you must register your facility as a workshop or bottling plant.
If you bottle through a third party (an external mill or authorized bottler), they must hold a valid registration, and you must appear as an authorized commercial brand.
This health registration guarantees that your oil has been produced, stored, and bottled in compliance with European and national food safety regulations.
The process is managed at the regional level and typically takes between 1 and 3 months. It is mandatory if you plan to sell in shops, at fairs, for export, or online.
In addition to the health registration, it is advisable to register as a food business operator in the appropriate systems:
REGEPA: General Registry of Agricultural Production.
REXDA: Agricultural Holdings Registry, in some regions.
This accredits you as a legitimate agricultural producer and facilitates other procedures, such as obtaining organic certification or applying for subsidies.
Labeling is one of the most sensitive areas: any mistake can lead to fines or withdrawal of the product from the market.
Your label must comply with Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and include at a minimum:
The name of the product (e.g., “Extra Virgin Olive Oil”).
Net volume (ml or L).
Best before date.
Batch number.
Storage conditions.
Details of the responsible operator (name, address, tax ID).
Origin of the oil (e.g., “Product of Spain”).
If organic, the appropriate logo and certification code.
Ideally, your label should be reviewed by a specialist consultant before printing, to avoid common and costly errors.
To legally sell your olive oil, you must have the appropriate tax structure:
If you are self-employed, register under the appropriate tax category.
If you work with third parties (distributors, retailers), keep your invoicing up to date.
Comply with VAT obligations (usually 10% for Extra Virgin Olive Oil).
Keep records of stock movement if managing bulk oil.
Some small producers start by selling only at fairs or from the estate, but as your brand grows, you’ll need to formalize your business.
To legally label an oil as “Extra Virgin,” it must meet both chemical and sensory standards:
Submit samples to an authorized lab for analysis (acidity, peroxide value, K232, K270, etc.).
Pass a tasting panel (panel test) that confirms the “Extra Virgin” category.
Without these controls, you cannot legally market your oil as Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Many ESAO students conduct these analyses through ESAO’s partner labs or as part of the master’s program, where they learn how to interpret results and determine the real commercial grade of their oils.
A common question from those inheriting small olive groves is:
“What if I only have 500 or 1,000 liters a year? Is it worth all this effort?”
The answer is: yes—if you do it right. Small, well-positioned brands are more powerful than ever. Today’s consumer seeks authenticity, traceability, flavor, and connection. That’s exactly what you can offer.
The key is to:
Clearly define your brand identity.
Develop a solid strategy (direct sales, shops, export).
Comply with all legal requirements from the beginning.
And most importantly: get trained to avoid costly mistakes.
At ESAO, we guide you from day one. Whether you have a grove, available oil, or just a clear idea, our master’s programs and technical courses will help you move forward with confidence.
Get to know our most comprehensive program: ESAO’s Master Olive Oil Consultant Certification
Real case studies,
Expert instructors from the sector,
And everything you need to launch your brand with confidence and success.
We close, as always, with a quote from Microsoft founder Bill Gates:
“Investing in education and training is the best use of money.”
When asked what his best financial advice is for those earning under $100,000 a year, his answer was: “Invest in your education.”