What the Harvest Year on Olive Oil Tells You

The harvest year tells you when the olives were picked and pressed. Unlike a best-before date, it provides useful information about when the olive oil was produced.

Why the harvest year matters

Olive oil is different from wine. It does not improve with age.

Fresh extra virgin olive oil often has vibrant fruity, grassy and peppery characteristics that gradually soften over time.

The harvest year is therefore one of several useful indicators when choosing an olive oil, alongside its quality, storage and packaging.

When are South African olives picked?

The South African olive harvest generally takes place during autumn and winter, although the exact timing varies according to the region, cultivar and growing conditions.

European olive harvests take place at a different time of year, generally beginning during the Northern Hemisphere’s autumn.

Harvest year vs best-before date

The harvest year identifies when the olives were harvested.

The best-before date indicates the period during which the producer expects the oil to retain its quality when stored correctly.

An olive oil bottled in a particular year may have been produced from olives harvested the previous year.

Harvest years on selected African Oils olive oils

Harvest years as at November 2026. We update this table as new harvests arrive.

Our standard African Oils illustrated tins are not tied to a particular harvest or cultivar blend. We select the oil used in these tins according to quality and availability.

Each harvest brings its own character, and that is part of what makes olive oil interesting.

Browse our extra virgin olive oils, or read what extra virgin olive oil should taste like.