Research undertaken by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation indicates the following breakdown of these imports:

Preserved Olives     49%

Black Olives             30%

Green Olives             21%

The growth in imported whole olives was 72% over the ten years from 1988 to 1997.

In the retail sector the brand 'Always Fresh' has the biggest market share at 17% followed by 'Aristocrat' at 12%.