Olives have long been a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, celebrated for their distinctive taste and numerous health benefits. When it comes to choosing the best brands, factors such as sourcing, processing, and taste play a pivotal role. From family-owned small producers to globally recognized names, the olive market boasts a diverse array of high-quality options. To discover some of the top contenders in the world of olives, read on for an informative list below.
Illustration of olives
Best brands of olives in 2025
Mezzetta
Mezzetta is renowned as one of the best producers of olives, sourcing high-quality ingredients from small family farms around the globe, including Greece, Italy, and Spain. They have maintained long-term relationships with local farmers for over 30 years to ensure the finest products. Mezzetta's olives, such as the Kalamata and Halkidiki varieties, are carefully curated and cured using traditional methods like salt brine and red wine vinegar to achieve optimal flavor. The company's commitment to quality is evident in their rigorous testing and quality control processes. Mezzetta's products are certified for various standards, including Gluten Free and Keto, ensuring they cater to a wide range of consumers.
Lindsay
Lindsay Olives, a brand under Bell-Carter Foods, is renowned for its high-quality table olives, boasting over 110 years of excellence since its inception in 1912. With a commitment to innovation, Lindsay has recently introduced new products such as the Lemon Twist Martini Olives and Spicy Trio Medley, enhancing its premium Crafted and Core Specialty lines. The brand is known for its sustainable practices, including reusable Mason Jar packaging, and its products are available nationwide starting at $4.99. As part of the largest table olive producer in the U.S. and the second largest globally, Lindsay continues to set industry standards. The global table olives market, in which Lindsay is a key player, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2030.
Roland
Roland Foods is a renowned brand in the production and distribution of high-quality olives, including their popular Roland(r) Manzanilla Olives Stuffed with Anchovies. Despite occasional product quality issues, such as the recall in 2017 due to a potential health hazard, the brand maintains a strong reputation. Roland Foods sources its products from various countries, including Spain, a significant producer of olives and olive oil, with Spanish olive oil production experiencing fluctuations, such as a 20-50% lower yield in 2022 due to severe droughts. The company's commitment to quality and its long-term relationships with suppliers help in mitigating supply chain disruptions. For instance, in 2022, Roland Foods managed to secure raw materials despite challenges like the drought affecting Arborio rice and olive oil yields.
Divina
Divina is renowned as one of the best producers of olives, particularly known for its high-quality Greek olive varieties. Their products, such as the Greek Olive Mix and Kalamata Olives, are marinated in herbs and cured to enhance flavor, with the Kalamata Olives cured for up to six months to draw out their sweetness and depth of flavor. These olives are free from dairy, gluten, and GMOs, making them suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets. The brand's commitment to quality is reflected in the careful selection and processing of olives, ensuring a consistent and delicious product. For instance, their Greek Olive Mix is a blend of Greece's most popular olive varietals, convenient for various culinary uses.
Gaea
Gaea is a renowned brand in the olive oil industry, founded in 1995, known for its high-quality products that adhere to strict standards such as ISO 9001, HACCP, BRC, and IFS, with recent acquisition of ISO 14001 for environmental accreditation. The company achieves an average annual growth of 25% and generates annual revenues exceeding 10 million euros. Gaea's factory in Agrinio produces 6,000 bottles of olive oil, 7,000 jars, and 3,000 packs of olives per hour, utilizing four automated production lines. It markets its products in over 25 countries, with 85% of its sales coming from exports. Gaea is the first Greek company to build a strong international brand for agricultural food products. For more information on their Gaea brand products, you can visit their dedicated webpage.
Mt. Olive
Mt. Olive is a renowned brand in the pickle industry, celebrated for its high-quality pickles, peppers, and relishes. Founded in 1926, the company has grown significantly, now operating on 117 acres with about 900,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space. It processes approximately 175 million pounds of peppers and cucumbers annually, producing around 14.5 million jars. Mt. Olive is the largest privately held pickle company in the United States, employing around 500 people year-round and an additional 300-350 during the summer. The company has expanded its distribution to all 50 states and is consistently one of the top-selling pickle brands. For more information, visit their official website.
Partanna
Partanna, a renowned brand from Sicily, is celebrated for its high-quality extra virgin olive oil, particularly the Partanna Robust Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil made from 100% Castelvetrano olives. This oil is cold-pressed within hours of picking, ensuring a rich flavor profile with notes of bitter almonds, tomato leaf, and artichoke. In the 2023/24 crop year, despite challenging conditions, Partanna's producer, Oleificio Asaro dal 1916, produced 2.6 million liters of extra virgin olive oil and earned eight awards at the 2024 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition. The brand's commitment to quality and tradition has been recognized globally, with awards including two Gold Awards for its Partanna Robust brand. Partanna's olive oil is also high in polyphenol content and rich in antioxidants, making it a premium choice for everyday use.
Castelvetrano
Castelvetrano olives, often associated with the Divina brand available at Whole Foods Market, are renowned for their mild, buttery flavor and crisp texture. These olives are harvested in late September through October in the Valle del Belice region of Sicily, an area known for its ideal Mediterranean climate. They are protected by a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) in the EU, ensuring their authenticity. The global table olive market, which includes Castelvetrano olives, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2030, reflecting increasing consumer awareness of the health benefits of olive consumption. Italy, particularly Sicily, plays a significant role in olive production, accounting for about 61% of Italy's total olive production along with Puglia.
Peloponnese
The Peloponnese region is renowned as one of the best producers of olives in Greece, accounting for approximately 65% of the country's total olive oil production. In the 2022/23 season, the Peloponnese produced over 100,000 tons of olive oil, almost a third of Greece's national production. Despite the recent challenges, the region's northern areas still manage to produce around 20-30% of last year's yield, while the southern and southwestern regions, such as Messenia, Ilia, and Laconia, achieve about 50% of last year's volume. The koroneiki variety, predominantly from the area of Koroni in Messinia, is one of the most famous and highly regarded. The quality of olive oil from this region remains high, with a significant portion classified as extra virgin. For more insight into the challenges faced during the harvest, you can read a detailed article on olive oil production in Greece.
Mario Camacho
Mario Camacho Foods is a renowned brand in the food industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality olive products. With origins dating back to the merger of Mario Olive Company and A. Camacho Inc., the company has become a leader in manufacturing, packaging, and exporting premium food items. Their olives, such as the Kalamata olives from Greece, are matured to achieve a 40% peak oil content and processed to reduce bitterness by 25% over six months. The brand also offers snack olives with a unique blend of ingredients like olive oil, sea salt, lactic acid, garlic, and thyme, ensuring a flavorful and healthy snack option. With an estimated annual revenue of $17.5 million and 72 employees, Mario Camacho Foods continues to excel in the market.
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