Extra Virgin Olive Oil UK: Health Benefits, Trends & Why Quality Matters

Walk into any British supermarket today and you will notice something that would have seemed extraordinary twenty years ago: an entire aisle dedicated to olive oil. From budget blends to artisan cold-pressed bottles, olive oil has quietly become a staple of the British kitchen — and the data backs it up.

At Luvia, we are passionate about bringing premium, authentic extra virgin olive oil to households across the UK. In this post we explore the remarkable rise in olive oil consumption over the past decade, and examine what the latest science tells us about why this liquid gold deserves its place at the heart of your diet.

Olive Oil in the UK: A Decade of Growth

The Market in Numbers

The UK olive oil market has expanded significantly over the past ten years. According to market analysis by IndexBox, the UK olive oil market reached $343 million in 2024, representing a 36% jump compared to the previous year. In volume terms, consumption rose to 41,000 tonnes in 2024 — a 5.2% increase on 2023 figures — and the market is forecast to continue growing, reaching an estimated $425 million by 2035.

Looking further back, data covering 2012 to 2023 shows that the value of olive oil consumed in the UK grew at an average rate of 4.6% per year — a sustained, compounding rise that reflects a genuine and lasting change in consumer behaviour. By 2023, the UK market had grown by nearly 86% in value compared to 2021 figures alone.

The Extra Virgin Premium

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is leading this growth. It is projected to account for 56.3% of all UK olive oil demand in 2025, according to industry analysts. British consumers are not just buying more olive oil — they are trading up to better quality products. The shift towards EVOO reflects growing awareness that the grade of olive oil matters enormously, both for flavour and for health.

The retail channel dominates, representing an estimated 65.8% of total UK olive oil demand — meaning the majority of this growth is happening in home kitchens, not just restaurants. Olive oil has moved from a restaurant ingredient to a daily household essential.

Where Does the UK Source Its Olive Oil?

As the UK does not produce meaningful quantities of olive oil domestically, it is almost entirely import-dependent. The three dominant suppliers are Spain, Italy, and Greece, together accounting for approximately 97% of import value. Spain alone supplies around 60% of UK imports. Knowing the origin of your olive oil is the first step towards choosing wisely.

Price Trends: What Has Been Happening?

Severe droughts across the Mediterranean — particularly in Spain — caused a dramatic reduction in global supply between 2022 and 2023, pushing UK retail prices for extra virgin olive oil to historic highs. By mid-2024, the average UK retail price for EVOO stood at approximately £12.40 per litre, up 19% year-on-year. Prices are expected to moderate through 2025–26 as production recovers.

This finding makes choosing a trusted, transparent brand like Luvia more important than ever.

The Science: What Research Tells Us About Olive Oil and Health

The rise in UK olive oil consumption is being driven, in part, by a growing body of scientific research demonstrating that regular consumption of extra virgin olive oil — particularly as part of a Mediterranean-style diet — is associated with a wide range of health benefits.

1. Heart Health: The Evidence is Compelling

The landmark PREDIMED trial (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea), published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil was associated with a 31% lower risk of total cardiovascular disease compared to a control diet, across more than 7,000 participants.

A 2025 systematic review published in the journal Nutrients, covering clinical trial data from 2005 to 2025, confirmed that extra virgin olive oil consumption is strongly linked to cardiovascular protection through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and blood pressure-lowering effects. Researchers noted that EVOO enhances endothelial function, reduces arterial stiffness, and lowers key risk markers such as C-reactive protein and oxidised LDL.

Liberale L, et al. Exploring the Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Cardiovascular Health Enhancement and Disease Prevention: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 2025. DOI: 10.3390/nu17111843

The ongoing CORDIOPREV study, involving 1,002 coronary heart disease patients, found that a Mediterranean diet rich in EVOO was associated with a measurable reduction in the progression of atherosclerosis compared to a low-fat diet.

Mediterranean Diet Reduces Atherosclerosis Progression in Coronary Heart Disease: CORDIOPREV Randomized Controlled Trial. Stroke, American Heart Association Journals. DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.033214

2. Brain Health and Cognitive Protection

A major 2024 Harvard University study of 92,383 American adults found that those who consumed at least seven grams of olive oil per day had a 28% lower risk of dying from dementia-related causes, regardless of their overall diet quality or genetic predisposition.

A 2024 comprehensive review published in Antioxidants found that EVOO's phenolic compounds — including oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and oleocanthal — can modulate and counteract the oxidative stress and neuroinflammation that underlie neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Tsartsalis D, et al. Neuroprotective Effects of Olive Oil: A Comprehensive Review of Antioxidant Properties. Antioxidants, 2024. DOI: 10.3390/antiox13070762

3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The key compound responsible for much of EVOO's anti-inflammatory activity is oleocanthal, a naturally occurring phenol that has been shown to inhibit the same inflammatory pathways as ibuprofen — without the side effects. EVOO is also rich in hydroxytyrosol, one of the most powerful antioxidants found in food.

A 2025 systematic review confirmed that EVOO polyphenols improve the antiatherogenic function of HDL (good) cholesterol, reduce oxidised LDL (bad) cholesterol, and lower systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Exploring the Cardiovascular Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Insights into Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential. PMC/MDPI, 2025. PMC: PMC11852600

4. Gut Health and the Gut-Brain Axis

Emerging research shows that EVOO consumption reduces the abundance of pathogenic bacteria in the gut, stimulates the growth of beneficial species such as Bacteroides and Lactobacillus, and increases the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) — compounds with wide-ranging anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body.

Millman JF, et al. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and the Gut-Brain Axis. PMC, 2021. PMC: PMC8581649

Not All Olive Oil is Created Equal

With the science so compelling, the quality of the olive oil you choose matters more than ever. Here is what to look for:

• Grade: Always choose Extra Virgin — the highest grade, obtained by cold-pressing olives with no heat or chemicals, retaining the highest levels of polyphenols and antioxidants.
• Polyphenol content: Higher polyphenol levels mean more health benefits. The EFSA health claim requires a minimum of 5mg of hydroxytyrosol and derivatives per 20g of oil.
• Harvest date: Olive oil does not improve with age. Look for a harvest date and aim to use it within 18 months.
• Origin transparency: Single-estate or single-country-of-origin oils are more traceable and consistent than multi-origin blends.
• Storage: Store away from light and heat, in a dark bottle or tin. Avoid oils in clear plastic bottles stored in direct sunlight.