A vicious bacterium that, according to experts, has the potential to devastate Europe's olive harvest has been spotted for the first time on the island of Mallorca during a routine check.
A subspecies of the vicious pathogen dubbed the “Ebola of olive trees” by Spanish newspaper El Mundo and that, according to experts who have had to deal with it in the past, has the potential to devastate the European Union’s olive harvest has been spotted for the first time 0n the island of Mallorca.
See Also:Complete Coverage of the Xylella Fastidiosa Outbreak
The disease, Xylella fastidiosa, ranks among the “most dangerous ones in the world,” to crops and is a very serious threat, say experts. The pathogen colonizes the vessels that a plant uses to transport water and nutrients.
The subspecies that has been found on Mallorca so far only affects cherry trees and oleanders, according to Europa Press.
The result is that the plant suffers severe symptoms such as scorching and wilting of its foliage and eventually dies. The fact that the bacterium has numerous hosts and vectors is a concern for local authorities as the likelihood of a complete contamination on the island is a scenario that has not been excluded.
The pathogen was detected for the first time in Mallorca by officials from the Balearic’s Department of Environment, Agriculture, and Fisheries during a routine check on three cherry trees located in one of the city’s garden centers. It has yet to infect the island’s olive trees but authorities have remained wholly cautious about the issue.
In an effort to prevent further contamination government officials have established a movement ban on the island covering 15,000 hectares; the aim is to “contain and eradicate the bacterium’s spread.” Spanish authorities are performing tests on other plants and searching for insects that vector the disease in order to gauge its spread and to eventually eradicate it.
Such outbreaks have become a major preoccupation not only for Spain, but in Italy and the whole European Union while the olive oil market has been affected by mediocre harvests and increases in olive oil price in 2016.
In fact, the European Union’s 2016 olive oil production is expected to sharply decline as the sector has faced many threats. Drought and diseases have stroke Southern France and Italy, and Spain, the world’s largest olive oil producer, has faced uncertainties stemming from the government’s pessimistic yield forecasts. The “Ebola of olive trees” is yet another major concern for European olive oil growers who have had a rough year.
The Xylella fastidiosa bacterium was first discovered in Puglia, Italy in 2013. The pathogen greatly affected Italy’s olive harvest — hundreds of thousands of hectares of olive oil had been ravaged — and later wreaked havoc on Southern France’s olive oil trees.
It has been previously spotted in Asia and in America. 2015’s Xylella fastidiosa outbreak resulted in a twenty percent increase in olive oil prices. In the event that Spanish authorities would not be able to eradicate it, olive oil price could see an unprecedented rise.
More articles on: 2016 olive harvest, Spain, Xylella fastidiosa
Jan. 25, 2024
Record Olive Oil Prices Drive Down Consumption in Spain
Consumers are using less olive oil, buying smaller formats and switching to lower-quality categories.
Feb. 20, 2024
Balearic Islands Tighten Restrictions as Xylella Spreads in Mallorca
The strain of Xylella fastidiosa responsible for Olive Quick Decline Syndrome was identified in other plants in Mallorca.
Dec. 2, 2024
Labor Shortage Cripples Spanish Olive Harvest
Table olive producers are struggling with a shortage of workers, which is compounded by concerns about increasing foreign competition and the possibility of higher tariffs.
Jan. 29, 2024
The Joy and Sacrifice of Organic Olive Oil Production on Mallorca
Oli de Santanyi founder Dirk Müller-Busch believes that producers who want a fair price must meet consumer demands for organic, high-quality extra virgin olive oil at all costs.
Aug. 20, 2024
Leveraging AI to Enhance Olive Oil Quality, Efficiency and Trust
AI has been improving olive farming for a decade, enhancing efficiency, decision-making, traceability, and sustainability. Recent advancements include predictive pricing, pest control, and personalized marketing.
Aug. 7, 2024
Researchers Identify 30 New Olive Varieties in Aragón
Further investigation is underway to determine the varieties’ characteristics and identify whether any could be used to produce olive oil on a commercial scale.
Mar. 7, 2024
Sustainability Keeps This Award-Winning Producer Grounded
Treurer is working to establish a circular economy to promote high-quality olive oil production and Mallorca’s natural beauty.
Aug. 11, 2024
Social Media Users Unimpressed With Spain's Olive Oil Tax Cut
Consumers contended that eliminating the value-added tax for olive oil did not result in a significant price drop in supermarkets.