Olive growing in Uruguay is an activity that has been being developed since 1780. The current cultivated surface area is around 10 thousand hectares, and «New Olive Growing» began in 1990 and continues on until the present, leading to the existence of around 3,500,000 olive trees.
This growth was carried out mainly from the arrival of investors from Argentina that made plantations in the provinces of Colonia (West of the country), Maldonado and Lavalleja (East region).
In spite of the small surface area of the country (187 thousand Km2) and the planted area, an Argentinean business group, through two agricultural, cattle, forest and tourist enterprises, (East region of the country) planted 4 thousand hectares, making it one of the biggest olive growing establishments in America.
Nuevo Manantial S.A. extends between the provinces of Rocha and Treinta y Tres in an area of 25 thousand hectares, 3,500 of which are dedicated to the cultivation of olive trees, and the rest to forestation, beekeeping, livestock and an important alternative energy park.
Varieties from Italy, Spain, France, Israel and Argentina are cultivated, such as Arbequina, Coratina, Picual, Frantoio, Leccino, Farga, Manzanilla, Piccoline and Arauco. These varieties make Extra Virgin quality Olive Oil that is marketed under the brand «Olivares de Rocha.”
Regarding industrialization, it has two processing plants with modern technology. «Loma Alta»(Castillos, Rocha) has 1500 hectares planted, the oil mill has three extraction lines with 3,000, 5,000 and 9,000 kg per hour, which makes a total processing capacity of 17 tons per hour and 600 tons per day of olives, making it the largest in Uruguay and one of the largest in America.
In Treinta y Tres (Route 17, near the city of the same name), we can find the establishment «La Serena.» It has 2 thousand hectares of olive trees and an oil mill that can process 400 tons/day.
«Nuevo Manantial» with its brand «Olivares de Rocha» destines its production mainly to exports. 89% of the thousand tons were sold abroad, mainly to Spain (70%).
The other company of the Argentinean investment group, «AGROLAND,» is located in the departments of Maldonado (Pueblo Garzón) and Lavalleja. There is a surface area of 4300 hectares, 500 of them destined to the plantation of olive trees of 15 varieties from Spain, Italy, France, Israel and Argentina. Here, Extra Virgin quality Olive Oils are made under the brand «Colinas de Garzón.» Table olive are also made.
Industrialization is carried out in the oil mill that has two production lines with a capacity of 130 tons/day. Four types of Extra Virgin Oils are presented with the brand: Bivarietal Arbequina-Coratina, Trivarietal Coratina-Barnea-Picual, Corte Italiano Frantoio-Leccino and Olio Nuovo Edición Limitada Blend of the varieties Manzanilla, Coratina, Piccoline and Hojiblanca.
Its production is mainly destined to the local market, having a market fraction close to 60%. In 2019 it produced 500 tons of Extra Virgin Oil of which 8% was destined to be exported. In recent years it has won numerous awards around the world, including the Mario Solinas Competition of the International Olive Oil Council, which places the brand among the best in the world according to the World’s Best Olive Oils ranking. Not only that, in 2019/2020 it found itself in 9th place for its «Bivarietal» Arbequina-Coratina.
In the establishment of Pueblo Garzón, other agricultural activities are being developed, such as the cultivation of vines, pecan nuts, almonds, livestock, forestation and livestock. It also has a park that generates alternative energy, but the main activity is tourism.
The proximity to the exclusive seaside resort of Punta del Este makes this site an unavoidable tour all year round with tourists of multiple nationalities. The main attractions are the oil mill with a great architectural design. Also famous is the Winery, Hotel and Restaurant, located in the vineyard area, self-sustaining energy and with an avant-garde design. Both buildings have been highlighted as the best in the world in their fields.
The extension of the surface area planted with olive trees, which is 4 thousand hectares, and the processing capacity of the oil mills of the establishments place these two companies of the same investment group among the largest in America.
The magnificence of the AGROLAND S.A. building facilities along with the other activities that are carried out in a total of 30 thousand hectares in 4 provinces in east Uruguay make it such a highly productive, touristic investment that is so well-known throughout the country and America.
