The Executive Secretariat held an international seminar during the 114th session of the Council of Members, which took place in , Georgia and was chaired by George Svanidze. Guests learnt about the potential for olive growing in this country, which aspires to be one of the key players in the South Caucasus olive sector,” said Executive Director Abdellatif Ghedira on the side-lines of this important event to celebrate World Olive Day.
With over 1 200 hectares in production, Georgia plans to expand its sector through ongoing investments and with the technical support of the IOC, the Georgian Government and the international community.
Olives were first recorded in Georgia in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. According to researchers, olives were probably introduced to the country by the Greeks when they colonised the regions bordering the Black Sea.
Found to the north of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, Georgia is nestled between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. With a total area of 69 700km², the country has 12 different climate zones and 49 types of soil. 
The country is also rich with renewable water resources and forests cover 33% of the territory.
Agriculture accounts for 8.3-9.2% of GDP and 16-17.5% of trade. Georgia has a long tradition of producing wine, citrus, grapes, tea, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Georgia and the South Caucasus lie in Vavilov’s fourth centre of origin – Southwest Asia. Olive trees are thought to be relics of the southwest regions of the country. Wild olives have been known to grow in forests alongside bay trees (Laurus nobilis) in Abkhazia and in the southwest. In the Bible, Noah distributed olives between Armenia and Georgia.
