The fruit is highly aromatic, small, symmetrical and dark brown, with a rounded apex and a broad peduncular cavity.

It has recently become one of the dominant olive cultivars in the world, largely under highly intensive, "super high-density" plantation.

Arbequina is grown in Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia: Areas of Adelaide, Buaraba, Loxton, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, Bolivia, Brazil: (Paraná), Chile: Areas of Arica, Huasco, and Limari, Egypt, France: Areas of Alpes-Maritimes and Hérault, Iran (Gilan), Israel, Libya, Mexico: Areas of Aguascalientes, Caborca, and Sonora, Morocco, Peru: Areas of Arequipa and Moquegua, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain: Areas of Albacete, Almeria, Andalucía, Aragón, Avila, Barcelona, Catalonia, Córdoba, Cuenca, Girona, Granada, Guadalajara, Huesca, Lleida, Madrid, Sevilla, Tarragona, Teruel, and Zaragoza, South Africa (Western Cape), Turkey, the United States (Winter Garden Region, Texas),[6] and Uruguaiana, Brazil.

Unlike most varieties, Arbequina has a high germination percentage, making it a common seedling tree for use as a rootstock.

Oils made from Arbequina are generally buttery, fruity, and very mild in flavor,[11] being low in polyphenols.