Olives & Us
The Hoyles family have been farming in The Fens for over 250 years, growing a range of crops on the naturally fertile reclaimed silt soils. Around 100 years ago the farm was supplying the major city wholesale markets with apples & pears, daffodil & tulip stems, potatoes, and local merchants with oats, wheat and mustard seed.
Today the family grows a range of fresh vegetables including potatoes and peas for local co-operatives for the supermarkets, and also sugarbeet for Silver Spoon British Sugar, wheat seed, and are still growing mustard seed for Colman’s (Unilever) five generations later. The olive project will take us back to fruit tree crop production for the first time since 1923.
We have all seen changes in the weather; the UK is getting warmer and new crops are able to be commercially grown for the first time, such as grape vines for wine production.
With David having previously spent time living and working in Portugal and Spain, and seeing various crops being grown and harvested, this got us more recently thinking of what crops may suit this now warmer climate and the soil type of The Fens.
The idea of UK olive production for olive oil started in 2019, and has been developing ever since. We have been looking at the most suitable olive tree varieties across Europe, gaining an understanding of how olive trees grow and develop, and looking into the commercial feasibility and market opportunities of manufacturing and marketing our own olive oil.
In 2023 the project was given the green light, and plant import licences were gained, orders were placed with suppliers for plants, and machinery and infrastructure were purchased ready for the UK’s first commercial olive grove which was planted in Spring 2024.
Time will tell us how successful The English Olive Co will be, but we will continue to give the olive trees the best chance of growing and yielding olives that we can, being cared for by a brilliant team on the farm, advise from local and overseas colleagues, and using technology with precision farming techniques. With a little bit of luck, we are hopeful that our first small batch of English olive oil will be available to market in 2026/27.
Health
Olives are the original superfood. Olives have been grown and eaten in the Mediterranean for centuries, and are associated with healthy living and healthy diets. They are rich in Vitamin E, and also contain Vitamin A, Copper, Calcium and Iron. An olive contains around 7 calories, and has a ‘negative calorie load’, which means you burn more calories digesting an olive than you gain from eating one!
Olive oil is the most consumed oil in the world, with the Spanish and the Greeks consuming over 14L of olive oil per person each year. UK consumption of olive oil is rising, but it is still less than 1L per person each year.
Top 5 health benefits;
1. Rich in antioxidants
Olives are rich in plant compounds called polyphenols which have effective antioxidant properties. The beneficial effects of these compounds include reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer.
2. Are anti-inflammatory
One of the polyphenols in olives is called oleocanthal. This compound appears to share the same pharmacological activity as ibuprofen, and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. Interestingly, this useful property has been associated with positive changes in those with rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Supports heart health
Although high in fat, the majority is a beneficial mono-saturated variety called oleic acid. This fatty acid is associated with reduced risk of heart disease. Oleic acid may help in this way by regulating cholesterol balance and reducing blood pressure.
4. Healthy bones
Studies suggest plant compounds in olives helps prevent bone loss, and may help prevent osteoporosis. Those that follow a Mediterranean diet do also appear to have a lower incidence of fracture.
5. Vitamin E and immune system
Olives are rich in vitamin E, which can improve skin health and help your immune system. By consuming such foods you are adding beneficial bacteria and enzymes to your intestinal flora, which increases the health of your gut microbiome and digestive system, and may enhance your immune function.