logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
17m 30s

Why is olive oil so expensive?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Most of us have noticed the prices of our weekly food shopping going up over the last few years, but some items have risen by astronomical amounts.

Extra virgin olive oil - a premium, unprocessed oil from the olive, has seen many customers' prices rise by 50% in the past year alone.

We explain why, as we hear from oil sommeliers and the people who buy and sell the product.

(Image: Olive oil being poured into a bowl. Credit: Getty Images)

Presented and produced by Rick Kelsey

Up next
Today
The cocoa conundrum
<p>Can Europe be weaned off cheap chocolate? EU efforts to block cocoa linked to deforestation were due to come into force at the end of this year – but have faced multiple delays. Another vote is due to take place soon. Some parties are pushing for further delay and modification ... Show More
20m 42s
Yesterday
Is this the end for South East Asia's scam centres?
<p>It’s one of the biggest human trafficking operations of modern times. Scam centres across South East Asia have been making hundreds of billions of dollars annually, it’s estimated, conning people into fake crypto-currency investment schemes. </p><p>But now these centres could ... Show More
18m 29s
Nov 24
Monetising Machu Picchu
<p>Peru is home to Machu Picchu - the ancient Inca city in the Andes mountains. </p><p>It's one of the seven wonders of the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The popular tourist destination attracts millions of visitors, making it very lucrative for the government, local a ... Show More
17m 38s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2023
Noticias 34: El precio del aceite se dispara - Episodio exclusivo para mecenas
<a href='https://go.ivoox.com/rf/116860106'>Agradece a este podcast tantas horas de entretenimiento y disfruta de episodios exclusivos como éste. ¡Apóyale en iVoox!</a> Episodio exclusivo para suscriptores de Se Habla Español en iVoox y Patreon: Patreon: https://www.patreon.co ... Show More
20m 42s
Apr 2020
A Glut in Oil
<p>Something weird happened last week. It was something that millions of people who have faced years of painful prices at the gas pump never expected: The cost of a barrel of oil dropped into the negatives. Today, we explore why this happened, and what it reveals about the state ... Show More
27m 23s
Sep 2019
Oil
The price of oil is arguably the most important in the world economy. How did we become so dependent - and are we ever likely to wean ourselves off it? 
8m 59s
May 2020
Oil Shock 2020
The oil price has crashed - for a while some producers were even paying customers to take it away. It's like no oil shock the industry has ever seen before. Lesley Curwen sets out to discover what difference cheap oil will make to our lives. Which jobs are at risk? Will there be ... Show More
28m 22s
Sep 2022
Martijn Rats: Will Oil Prices Continue to Fall?
<p>While the global oil market has seen a decrease in demand, supply issues are still prevalent, leaving investors to question where oil prices are headed next.</p><p><br></p><p>----- Transcript -----</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Martijn Rats, Morgan St ... Show More
3m 47s
Oct 2023
Chevron to buy Hess Corp for $53 billion
There's a mood of consolidation in the air in the US oil industry - earlier this month Exxon Mobil, the largest American oil-producer, bought oil-explorer Pioneer Natural Resources for $59.5bn. Now Chevron has announced its buying its main rival Hess for $53bn. The oil industry l ... Show More
50m 15s
Oct 2023
What Is Gasoline Telling Us?
<p>On today show we are looking at what seems like a huge paradox in the world of energy. On this show we look at energy from time to time. Why is that? Because energy is the economy. If the economy is cooking, then energy consumption will rise. If the economy is faltering, then ... Show More
5m 37s
Apr 2024
A ‘Hot’ Summer for Oil?
<p>Oil demand has been higher than expected so far in 2024. Our Global Commodities Strategist explains what could drive oil to $95 per barrel by summer.</p><p><br></p><p>----- Transcript -----</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I’m Martijn Rats, Morgan Stanley’s ... Show More
3m 4s