
The International Olive Council was set up in 1959 under the auspices of the United Nations to administer the succession of international commodity agreements concluded over the past sixty years to defend and promote olive growing, olive oil and table olives. It is headquartered in Madrid, Spain.
The Council is a decisive player in contributing to the sustainable and responsible development of olive growing and it serves as a world forum for discussing policymaking issues and tackling present and future challenges.
Its current membership Members includes the leading international producers and exporters of olive oil and table olives. IOC producer Members account for around 94% of world olive oil production, located primarily in the Mediterranean region.
The IOC is committed to the integrated, sustainable development of world olive growing. It attempts to translate this commitment into tangible advancement for its Member countries and, most importantly, for the ordinary people who earn their livelihood from the produce of the olive tree.