Dalmia Continental puts 2 olive oil brands on sale

After divesting its Leonardo olive oil brand to Cargill India early this year, Dalmia Continental Pvt Ltd has put two other olive oil brands Marco Polo and OliRyze on sale.

Dalmia Continental is required to exit all olive oil related categories as part of its agreement with Cargill, the company said in a statement.

Marco Polo, launched in 2012 as a fighter brand by Dalmia, competes with low-priced olive oils and clocked sales volume of around 500 tonnes last year.

Distributed nationally through the company’s sales network, Marco Polo is listed in major retail chains.

Marco Polo exhibited 12 per cent growth in the year 2013-14, a year in which there was de-growth in the overall olive oil category due to steep price increases, rupee depreciation and weak consumer sentiment from slow economic growth.

OliRyze, a blend of 70 per cent rice bran oil and 30 per cent olive oil, was launched in 2013 as an entry level product to upgrade users of other oils to healthier oils.

OliRyze was promoted as a healthier alternative to rice bran oil compared to other seed oils.