Start with the grade
Grades are defined in the EU marketing standards for olive oil and in the International Olive Council trade standard. Your contract should name the grade and the standard it refers to, so there is no argument later about what “extra virgin” means.
- Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO): free acidity of 0.8% or less, and no sensory defects with a fruity attribute confirmed by a tasting panel.
- Virgin olive oil: free acidity up to 2%, minor sensory defects allowed.
- Olive oil (a blend of refined and virgin oils) and olive-pomace oil: used mainly in food service and industry.
Specify the laboratory parameters
Ask for a recent analysis from an accredited laboratory for the specific lot offered, not a generic sheet. For larger orders, agree that a sample is drawn at loading and kept as the reference.
- Free acidity, peroxide value and UV absorbance (K232, K270, ΔK).
- Fatty acid profile and waxes, to confirm authenticity.
- Sensory panel result (median of defects and fruitiness).
- Harvest year or crop, and for single-variety oils the cultivar, for example Picual, Hojiblanca or Arbequina.
Choose the format
Bulk oil is sensitive to heat, light and oxygen. Ask how the oil is stored before loading (stainless steel, nitrogen blanketing, temperature) and agree the loading date close to shipment.
- Road tanker: for buyers within reach of Spain by road.
- Flexitank in a 20 ft container: a single-use bladder, commonly holding roughly 16,000 to 24,000 litres depending on the system.
- IBC containers of around 1,000 litres, or drums: easier to handle for smaller volumes or several grades in one shipment.
Agree Incoterms and payment
Most bulk olive oil is quoted EXW, FCA, FOB a Spanish port, or CFR/CIF to your port. The Incoterm decides who books the freight, who insures the goods and where risk passes. Payment is usually agreed upfront or by documentary letter of credit; with Kestrade the producer ships directly to you and payment terms are set in the written offer before anything moves.
Documents to ask for
- Commercial invoice and packing list.
- Certificate of analysis for the lot.
- Certificate of origin, and an EUR.1 or origin statement where a trade agreement applies.
- Bill of lading or CMR, and organic or other certificates if the product is sold as such.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying on price per litre without comparing the same grade, Incoterm and analysis.
- Accepting a generic analysis sheet instead of one for the lot offered.
- Leaving the harvest year open, so older oil can be shipped.
- Ignoring storage and transit temperature in hot months.
- Not keeping a sealed reference sample from loading.
Checklist before you order
- Grade and standard named in the offer.
- Lot analysis from an accredited laboratory, with sensory panel.
- Harvest year, origin and, if relevant, variety stated.
- Format agreed (tanker, flexitank, IBC, drums) and loading date.
- Incoterm, payment terms and documents listed in writing.
- Option for an independent inspection or sample at loading.
How ordering works with Kestrade
You send the grade, volume, format, destination and target price. We shortlist Spanish and European producers that can supply it, check their registration, certificates and capacity, and come back with one clear offer: price, Incoterm, lead time and payment terms. Samples or independent inspection can be arranged before you commit.