Matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) methodology has been developed to extract fenthion and its metabolites from olives and olive oils, and the technique compared with conventional liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). The method was applied to olives and olive oil samples obtained from olive groves treated with fenthion. Pesticide residues were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) using a nitrogen-phosphorus detector. Both extraction methods gave a linear response over the concentration range assayed (0.03-1 mg kg-1 for MSPD and 0.1-1 mg kg-1 for LLE). Recoveries and RSD (n = 6) values in olives were 85-112% and 2-6% for MSPD, and 68-108% and 4-16% for LLE, respectively. In the case of olive oil, recoveries and RSD (n = 6) values were 67-98% and 5-11% for MSPD, and 63-115% and 6-14% for LLE, respectively. When compared to LLE, the newly developed MSPD method was twice as sensitive and required 10 times less sample weight.