The global olive oil market is entering a phase of relative stability after years of volatility, though it remains influenced by climate change and broader economic conditions. According to the International Olive Council (April 2026), demand is strengthening despite a slight dip in production.

During October 2025 to January 2026, imports in key markets rose by 9.2% compared to the same period a year earlier. Most countries recorded growth, with the exception of Canada and the United States. Notably, Australia stands out as a dynamic market where Greece holds a strong supplier position, according to ot.gr

Australia’s olive oil imports reached 42,272 tons in the 2024/25 crop year, marking a sharp 46% increase year-on-year. In the first months of 2025/26, imports grew by a further 12.5%. Greece ranks among the leading global exporters-alongside Spain and Italy-and remains within the top five suppliers to Australia, together with Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Lebanon, which collectively account for over 97% of imports.

Among these, Greece recorded one of the strongest increases, with exports rising by 162.4%, while Turkey and Lebanon also posted significant gains. Spain and Italy saw more moderate growth.

In terms of product categories, virgin olive oil dominates with 72.9% of imports, followed by other olive oils (25.5%) and pomace oil (1.6%).

Producer prices for extra virgin olive oil show mixed trends: increases in Spain and Greece, but a notable decline in Italy.

Source: ot.gr

Archaeologists working on the Ionian island of Ithaca have uncovered what they believe to be a sanctuary dedicated to the legendary hero Odysseus, marking one of the most important archaeological discoveries in recent years, according to gpnews.com

The excavation took place at a site known as the “School of Homer,” where researchers found a tile fragment bearing an inscription linked to Odysseus’s name. This key find, along with numerous votive offerings, ceramics, and metal objects, suggests the presence of an organized place of worship devoted to the mythical king.

Artifacts recovered from the site span a long period, from the Mycenaean era (1600–1100 BC) to the Hellenistic period, indicating that the cult of Odysseus endured for over a thousand years. The discovery of Mycenaean material is particularly significant, as it may point to traditions connected to Odysseus that predate the works of Homer.

Later finds from the Hellenistic age show that devotion to the hero continued despite major cultural and political changes in the Greek world. The sanctuary’s elevated position overlooking the sea further supports its identification as a shrine honoring a famed seafarer.

While the discovery does not confirm that Odysseus was a historical figure, it highlights how deeply mythology was woven into everyday life in ancient Greece. Heroes like Odysseus were not only literary figures but also objects of worship.

His story, preserved in the epic Odyssey, remains one of the most influential works of Western literature.

Source: gbnews.com

A simple walk across farmland in Berlin led to an extraordinary discovery linking the city to the ancient Greek world, according to arkeonews.com. In the Spandau district, a 13-year-old student found a small bronze coin later identified as a rare artifact from Troy, dating back around 2,300 years.

The coin, just 12 millimeters wide and weighing about seven grams, was minted between 281 and 261 BC during the Hellenistic period in Ilion. Its design reflects strong Greek influence: one side shows the goddess Athena wearing a Corinthian helmet, while the other depicts Athena Ilias holding a spear and spindle, highlighting its cultural and artistic significance.

Initially, archaeologists questioned whether the object had been recently lost. However, further investigation of the site confirmed its authenticity. Excavations revealed evidence of long-term human activity, including a burial ground with cremated remains, pottery fragments, and objects from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman period, and even Slavic times. This layered context suggests the coin was part of an ancient cultural landscape rather than a modern intrusion.

The find is especially important as it represents the first confirmed Greek antiquity discovered in Berlin, where only Roman artifacts had previously been recorded.

Although its exact journey remains unclear, experts believe it may have traveled along ancient trade routes connecting the Mediterranean with Northern Europe, possibly linked to the amber trade. Given its modest value, the coin may have served a symbolic or ritual purpose, perhaps as a grave offering.

Now displayed at PETRI Berlin, the coin offers a rare glimpse into ancient connections across distant regions.

Source: arkeonews.com

A marble fragment thought to belong to the architectural decoration of the Parthenon has been recovered from the wreck of the Mentor, according to Greece’s Culture Ministry, marking an important archaeological find, according to tovima.com

The Mentor, a two-masted ship chartered by Lord Elgin, sank in September 1802 near Avlemonas on the island of Kythira. At the time, it was transporting antiquities removed from the Acropolis of Athens, including sculptural elements from its monuments, en route to Britain. Some of these artifacts were lost at sea.

Underwater investigations carried out in 2025–2026 by the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities explored areas west and north of the known wreck. Among the discoveries was a small marble piece identified as part of a decorative architectural feature.

Specialists believe the fragment comes from a slab adorned with a “water drop” motif typical of the Parthenon’s Doric style. It may have belonged to an epistyle molding or a cornice within an entablature. Although modest in size-measuring 9.3 cm by 4.7 cm, with a 6.51 cm decorative element-it holds considerable significance.

This is the first clearly identified sculpted architectural fragment from the Mentor’s cargo. Most of the ship’s artifacts were salvaged soon after the wreck in the early 19th century.

Conservation work and further study are ongoing, with researchers hoping to better determine the fragment’s origin and historical context. Greece has been conducting underwater excavations at the wreck site since 2009.

Photo: tovima.com