Olive oil profitability is one of the most frequent doubts among those who inherit an olive grove or manage a family farm:
“I only have 500 or 1,000 liters per year… is it really worth creating my own EVOO brand?”
The short answer is: yes, it can be profitable.
But, as in the entire olive oil sector, it depends on how you do it.
In this article, we give you an overview of the factors that influence olive oil profitability when working with small-scale production. This is not a definitive guide or a closed calculation — we do that with you in the Campus training — but it will help you gain perspective.
When we talk about small-scale production, we mean:
Family or hobby olive groves (50 to 300 olive trees).
Small-scale olive oil production between 300 and 3,000 liters per year.
Projects without large infrastructures or hired staff.
This type of small-scale olive oil production is not meant to compete in volume, but to bring added value olive oil and position itself in a specific market.
The key lies in the business model.
If you sell your oil in bulk, you’ll probably earn between €3 and €5 per liter.
But if you go for olive oil bottling, create a differentiated EVOO brand, and focus on direct olive oil sales, you can sell between €12 and €25 per liter or more.
Simplified example:
You produce 1,000 liters.
You bottle in 500 ml bottles → 2,000 bottles.
Average selling price: €10 per bottle.
Potential revenue: €20,000.
Now, from this you must subtract:
Olive oil bottling and design costs.
Legal labeling.
Marketing costs (website, commissions, shipping).
Taxes, logistics, etc.
Final result:
With a good EVOO business strategy, you can make a profit or at least cover your olive oil production costs and build an EVOO brand with growth potential.
Some small producers achieve olive oil profitability… and others lose money every year.
What makes the difference?
Prior training and planning.
Clear EVOO brand identity.
Direct olive oil sales or well-selected channel.
Authentic and unique storytelling.
Extreme care for quality and presentation.
That’s why training before investing is key.
It helps avoid costly mistakes, impulsive decisions, or copying models that don’t fit you.
Although it may not seem so, having a small quantity also has advantages if you know how to leverage them:
Total quality control: you can select your best batches, take care of harvesting and storage in detail.
Flexibility: you don’t have large distribution commitments and can adapt easily.
Personal touch: you can communicate directly with your customers and build community.
Lower initial investment: if you use a nearby mill and adjust your branding, you can start with less budget.
Many consumers value an authentic story more than a big advertising campaign.
At ESAO we have guided students who started with:
600 liters and today sell 90% of their small-scale olive oil production online to loyal customers.
1,200 liters annually with a focus on rural tourism, where artisan olive oil is part of the experience.
800 liters aimed at corporate gifts, with exclusive packaging and high margins.
In all cases, the common factor was solid training, a clear EVOO business strategy, and lots of care.
It’s also important to be honest: not everything is olive oil profitability.
Your project may not be if:
You don’t know the real olive oil production costs.
You lack specialized training in the sector.
You don’t have a defined target audience.
You try to sell without a clear EVOO business strategy.
You imitate industrial models without having the volume.
You don’t differentiate yourself from the rest.
That’s why many small producers give up after 1 or 2 campaigns without results, not because the product is bad, but because they didn’t have a foundation.
The premium olive oil consumer today is looking for:
Authentic products.
Clear provenance.
Personal stories.
Native varieties.
Environmental care.
And that is exactly what you can offer.
But you must know how to communicate it, where to position it, and how to present it.
In ESAO training, we teach you how to build a narrative that sells without falling into empty clichés.
And you? Are you ready to professionalize your passion?
Creating your own EVOO brand with 1,000 liters per year can indeed be profitable.
But only if you do it with knowledge, planning, and a clear EVOO business strategy.
If you are at this stage, don’t improvise.
🔗 Learn more here about the ESAO Master in Olive Oil Consulting
Your brand deserves to take off with solid foundations.
We finish, as always, with Bill Gates’ advice, founder of Microsoft.
Investing in education and training is the best use of money.
When asked: “What is your best financial advice for people earning less than $100,000 per year?”
His answer was: “Invest in your education.”