How Olive Tree Started to Cultivate in China?

Many traditional and emerging countries have developed their olive industries such as Spain, Italy, Greece, France, the USA, and Australia because of the well-balanced oil composition and the great commercial value of the olive(Olea europaea L.). Researchers found that most of these regions have Mediterranean climates or belong to the Mediterranean area. China, as a non-Mediterranean country with non-Mediterranean climate, started the cultivation of olive tree more than 50 years ago.

Olive trees were grown sporadically in China in the early 20 century, which were mostly brought by missionaries and businessmen for ornamental usage. In 1964, Premier Zhou Enlai introduced 5 varieties of olive trees from Albania. They were mainly cultivated in the southern areas of China at that time. Also, researchers started the adaptability study in different areas, such as Sichuan, Gansu, Hubei, Shanxi. There are strict climatic conditions requirements for the cultivation of olive trees. For example, the annual temperature needs to be 15-20℃ and the soil needs to be loose, full of calcium and neutral or alkaline, etc. These made Longnan city, Gansu province become the most suitable area for olive trees cultivation in China, after long-time observational experiments.

The olive leaf cultivation base of ACE Biotechnology also locates in Longnan, the olive town of China. Our procurement team visited there few days before and communicated with the local growers and farmers. ACE can manufacture Olive Leaf Extract oleuropein 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% and Olive Leaf Extract Hydroxytyrosol 5%, 10%, 15%.