Third of Italians using less olive oil because of high prices, survey suggests

Italians have reduced their consumption of olive oil, a survey has suggested (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

A third of Italians have reduced their consumption of extra virgin olive oil due to skyrocketing prices, according to a survey released on Friday.

But Italian producers are pushing back against the claim, saying the snapshot of consumer sentiment does not give a full picture – and that sales of higher-quality, Italian, extra virgin olive oil are actually up.