Publish Time: 2025-12-17 Origin: Site
As is well known, the Mediterranean coast produces some of the world's finest olive oil, but harvesting olives during harvest season is fraught with difficulties. Traditional hand-harvesting is time-consuming and labor-intensive, while modern tools such as tree shakers, while improving efficiency, also cause damage to the fruit and branches. Is there a way to both protect the olive trees and significantly improve harvest efficiency? This led to the creation of the olive net.
Why is it particularly needed in Mediterranean olive groves?
Olive netting is a specialized harvesting net made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), specifically designed for the olive harvest season. Unlike traditional cotton or linen netting or ordinary plastic netting, HDPE material has a unique molecular structure that gives it superior performance in terms of UV resistance, weather resistance, and strength.
There are three main reasons why Mediterranean olive groves have a special need for HDPE
☀️Intense UV radiation: The Mediterranean region experiences over 250 days of sunshine annually, making ordinary plastic netting prone to aging and damage.
☀️Diverse terrain: Terraced planting on hillsides requires harvesting solutions adapted to complex terrain.
☀️Large-scale production: Commercial olive groves require highly efficient, reusable harvesting tools.
What are the differences between HDPE olive netting and traditional harvesting methods?
| Feature Comparison | Traditional Hand-Harvesting | Ordinary Plastic Netting | HDPE Olive Netting |
| Installation Time | Not Applicable | Medium (15-20 minutes/tree) | Fast (8-12 minutes/tree) |
| Fruit Damage Rate | 5-8% | 10-15% | Below 3% |
| Lifespan | Single use | 1-2 seasons | 5-8 years |
| Cleaning Difficulty | Low | High (Easily gets dirty) | Medium (Easy to clean) |
| Return on Investment | High | Medium | High (Long-term use) |
| Environmental Friendlyness | High | Low (Fragile and difficult to degrade) | Medium (Recyclable) |
For common Mediterranean olive varieties, the following specifications are recommended:
Small-fruited varieties (e.g., Arbequina): Mesh 15×15mm to 20×20mm
Medium-fruited varieties (e.g., Koroneiki): Mesh 25×25mm to 30×30mm
Large-fruited varieties (e.g., Gordal): Mesh 35×35mm to 40×40mm
High-quality olive collection net should possess the following characteristics:
Lightweight (80-120g/m²), easy to handle and install
High tensile strength (longitudinal/transverse ≥25kN/m)
Good puncture resistance, able to withstand falling branches
Light green/white: Reduces heat absorption, protecting fruit quality
Dark mesh: Reduces ground reflection in areas with strong sunlight, facilitating worker operation
High-quality olive harvest net is designed with strong winds, such as the Mistral winds of the Mediterranean region, in mind. With reinforced edges and proper securing, it can withstand gusts of 60-70 km/h. It is recommended to add additional securing points when strong winds are forecast.
Correctly sized olive harvest net will not damage branches. The edges are heat-fused, resulting in a smooth, burr-free surface. In fact, by reducing direct impact of fruit on the ground, it actually reduces the risk of branches breaking from heavy impacts.
Yes, the smooth surface of HDPE makes it difficult for olive residue to adhere. At the end of the season, it can be rinsed with a low-pressure water gun, and if necessary, treated with a mild agricultural disinfectant. After complete drying, it can be rolled up for storage.
If you have any further questions about olive net, please feel free to contact us at SUGRAND. We are a professional olive mesh manufacturer and supplier with over 17 years of experience in the export business. We offer high-quality products and have all the necessary certifications.
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