Bulk olive oil for bottlers — flexitank, consistency &

Q: What is bulk olive oil for a bottler?

Bulk olive oil for a bottler is a supply of unpackaged oil — flexitank, IBC or drums — delivered to a packer (co-packer) who bottles it under its own brand or its clients' brands. The key issue is the consistency of profile and quality from one lot to the next, to never break shelf consistency. Zitouna Export supplies IOC/EU-certified Tun

Q: Which bulk packaging to choose: flexitank, IBC or drums?

The flexitank (~22,000 L) offers the lowest cost/tonne (1 per 20' container) — ideal for a high-throughput bottler. IBC (1,000 L, ×20) suit intermediate volumes or multiple profiles; drums (200/216 L, ×40) suit small lots or profile tests.

Q: How do you guarantee profile consistency from one lot to the next?

Through a reference sample validated at the outset, a reproducible blend (mastered varieties) and a per-lot COA compared to the reference at each delivery. Tolerances (acidity, peroxide, sensory profile) are written into the contract to avoid any drift.

Q: What is the price of bulk olive oil for a bottler?

From €3.80–4.00/kg FOB for the Tunisian origin, versus ~€6.50–7/kg for Italy. This gap preserves your packing margin. The price depends on volume, bulk format and incoterm.

Q: What MOQ for a bottler?

The bulk MOQ starts at 1 flexitank (~22,000 L) , 2 IBC or 10 drums , up to a full container. To test a profile before a regular flow, a few drums are enough.

Q: How many litres and kilos in a flexitank?

A flexitank holds about 22,000 L , i.e. ~20,000 kg (density 1 L ≈ 0.913 kg ). It is the most economical format per tonne and the reference for a bottler. We provide the exact net/gross weights per lot.

Q: Which varieties for which bottling profile?

Chemlali (South/Sfax) gives a mild, fruity and fluid oil; Chetoui (North) is pungent, bitter and rich in polyphenols. A bespoke blend allows you to target a reproducible profile. See Chemlali and Chetoui.

Q: How do you secure delivery reliability over the year?

Through a supply plan aligned with the olive harvest, with committed volumes and a delivery calendar. As the EU quota (TRQ) is exhausted every year , we secure the slots early to never leave your line idle.

Q: Do you offer organic bulk for bottling?

Yes: organic bulk certified Ecocert (EU 2018/848) / USDA NOP , stored and filled separately from conventional to preserve the certification. See bulk organic oil.

What is bulk olive oil for a bottler?

Bulk olive oil for a bottler is a supply of unpackaged oil — flexitank, IBC or drums — delivered to a packer (co-packer) who bottles it under its own brand or its clients' brands. The key issue is the consistency of profile and quality from one lot to the next, to never break shelf consistency. Zitouna Export supplies IOC/EU-certified Tunisian oil with per-lot COA. Indicative price from €3.80/kg FOB.

A bottler does not sell an origin: it sells consistency. Its reputation depends on its ability to deliver, batch after batch, an oil with the same profile and the same quality. Our job is to secure that consistency at source.

The challenge a bottler faces on bulk sourcing

For a bottler or packer, bulk sourcing concentrates three operational risks:

Profile consistency — a fruitiness or acidity that varies between two flexitanks forces re-blending, slows the line and displeases the end customer. Reproducibility of the sensory profile is vital.
Delivery reliability — a bottling line idle for lack of bulk is costly. The seasonality of the olive harvest must be smoothed by a supply plan.
Quality held lot after lot — acidity, peroxide, K232/K270: each parameter must stay within contractual tolerances to avoid a downgrade on arrival.

Add to this container-filling management, density (1 L ≈ 0.913 kg) for weight calculations, and documentary compliance on import.

Our solution for bottlers & packers

We are a bulk supplier designed for the bottling line: consistent volume, reproducible profile, documented quality.

Bottler's need	Our answer
Economical bulk	Flexitank ~22,000 L (the lowest cost/tonne, 1 per 20' container)
Intermediate volumes	IBC 1,000 L (×20 per 20') or drums 200/216 L (×40)
Profile consistency	Reference sample + reproducible blend (mild Chemlali / pungent Chetoui)
Held quality	Per-lot COA (IOC-accredited lab): acidity, peroxide, K232/K270, panel
Reliability	Supply plan aligned with the harvest, volumes secured early
Competitive price	Tunisian origin €3.80–4.00/kg FOB to preserve your packing margin

You choose the category (extra virgin, virgin), the target variety or blend, and the incoterm. See bulk extra virgin oil, the Chemlali and Chetoui varieties, and the incoterms guide.

Our proof for a bottler

A packer validates a bulk supplier on reproducibility and traceability. Our guarantees:

World's no. 2 origin — Tunisia is the 2nd largest exporter worldwide, 2025/26 harvest estimated at 400–500 kt: sourcing depth to smooth your annual needs.
Bulk at ~87.5% of our exports — the Tunisian sector exports mostly in bulk: it is our core business, not a side activity.
Reproducible blend — mastered varieties (mild fluid Chemlali, pungent Chetoui rich in polyphenols) to hold a target profile from one lot to the next.
Per-lot COA — each flexitank / IBC / drum is analysed (IOC-accredited lab): acidity ≤ 0.8%, peroxide ≤ 20, K232 ≤ 2.50, panel.
Award-winning quality — 26 NYIOOC 2024 awards for Tunisia.
EU 0% origin — tariff-rate quota TRQ 09.4032 + EUR.1 certificate.

Testimonials from partner co-packers to come (placeholder — no fake testimonials are published).

Steps to start a bulk supply

How do you secure a consistent bulk supply for your bottling line? In five steps.

Specification — you define category, target sensory profile, tolerances (acidity, peroxide…), bulk format, annual volume and incoterm.
Reference sample & COA — we send a sample with its COA; you validate it as the contractual reference. Interpret it with the COA quality classifier.
Quotation & supply plan — delivered price, delivery calendar aligned with the harvest, contractual tolerances in writing.
First flexitank / IBC — delivery with the lot COA, compared to the reference sample on arrival.
Regular replenishment — planned flow, COA with each lot, profile held from one delivery to the next.

A first flexitank can ship within a few weeks after validation of the reference sample (indicative — to be confirmed depending on harvest and destination).

Buyer side / seller side

Buyer side (bottler / co-packer)	Seller side (exporter)
Lock in a reference sample + written tolerances (acidity, peroxide, profile), secure an annual supply plan, require a per-lot COA, compare each flexitank on arrival, negotiate the bulk price and incoterm.	Quote FOB, guarantee blend reproducibility, hold contractual tolerances, plan production around the harvest, secure payment (deposit + confirmed LC).
CTA: request a bulk quote	CTA: train on bulk export

FAQ — Bulk olive oil for bottlers

Which bulk packaging to choose: flexitank, IBC or drums?

The flexitank (~22,000 L) offers the lowest cost/tonne (1 per 20' container) — ideal for a high-throughput bottler. IBC (1,000 L, ×20) suit intermediate volumes or multiple profiles; drums (200/216 L, ×40) suit small lots or profile tests.

How do you guarantee profile consistency from one lot to the next?

Through a reference sample validated at the outset, a reproducible blend (mastered varieties) and a per-lot COA compared to the reference at each delivery. Tolerances (acidity, peroxide, sensory profile) are written into the contract to avoid any drift.

What is the price of bulk olive oil for a bottler?

From €3.80–4.00/kg FOB for the Tunisian origin, versus ~€6.50–7/kg for Italy. This gap preserves your packing margin. The price depends on volume, bulk format and incoterm.

What MOQ for a bottler?

The bulk MOQ starts at 1 flexitank (~22,000 L), 2 IBC or 10 drums, up to a full container. To test a profile before a regular flow, a few drums are enough.

How many litres and kilos in a flexitank?

A flexitank holds about 22,000 L, i.e. ~20,000 kg (density 1 L ≈ 0.913 kg). It is the most economical format per tonne and the reference for a bottler. We provide the exact net/gross weights per lot.

Can you hold precise contractual tolerances?

Yes. You define your thresholds (acidity, peroxide, K232/K270, profile), we write them into the contract and deliver a per-lot COA from an IOC-accredited laboratory proving it. A lot outside tolerance is not shipped as compliant.

Which varieties for which bottling profile?

Chemlali (South/Sfax) gives a mild, fruity and fluid oil; Chetoui (North) is pungent, bitter and rich in polyphenols. A bespoke blend allows you to target a reproducible profile. See Chemlali and Chetoui.

How do you secure delivery reliability over the year?

Through a supply plan aligned with the olive harvest, with committed volumes and a delivery calendar. As the EU quota (TRQ) is exhausted every year, we secure the slots early to never leave your line idle.

Do you offer organic bulk for bottling?

Yes: organic bulk certified Ecocert (EU 2018/848) / USDA NOP, stored and filled separately from conventional to preserve the certification. See bulk organic oil.

How do I read the COA of a delivered lot?

The COA states acidity, peroxide, the K232/K270/ΔK coefficients and the sensory panel, to be compared to your reference sample. Our COA quality classifier helps you confirm the IOC/EU category and EFSA eligibility.

Can we get a sample before committing to a flow?

Yes, with its COA. It becomes your contractual reference sample, enforceable against every flexitank on arrival to prevent any profile or quality dispute.

What documents accompany a flexitank on export?

Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (B/L), EUR.1 certificate of origin (0% within the TN quota), phytosanitary certificate and COA (IOC-accredited lab). The incoterms guide specifies who handles what under FOB/CIF.

Secure your consistent bulk for bottling

Describe your need — target profile, tolerances, bulk format, annual volume, incoterm — and receive a dated quotation with a reference sample + COA and a supply plan. The olive harvest and the EU quota (exhausted every year) limit the slots: commit your volumes early to never stop your line.

Request a bottler bulk quote — drawer pre-filled "Who are you? → Bottler / packer".

Classify your COA — check IOC/EU category, EFSA and freshness before committing to a flow.

Train on buying bulk for export — training (DT 3,500): incoterms, COA, tolerances, logistics, lifetime access to the tools.