European Union olive oil producers fared poorly this year. Spain, the notable exception, is well poised to make up the difference in the export market.
According to the latest estimates released by the European Commission, Spanish olive oil production is projected to reach 1.76 million tons in the 2018/19 season, up from 1.39 million tons the preceding season.
Ironically, Spanish olive oil producers have climate change to thank for the successful harvest season.- El País
Spain is expected to export 1.22 million tons this season, up almost 40 percent from the 2017/18 season. This is largely in response to the sharp decrease in production in other countries, such as Greece and Italy.
Italy is projected to produce just 226,000 tons of olive oil in the 2018/19 season, less than half the amount of the preceding harvesting season. Greece will fall by 35 percent to 248,000 tons and Portugal will drop almost 20 percent, down to 121,300 tons.
See Also:Olive Oil ProductionOverall, European Union olive oil production numbers are expected to remain fairly stable, at 2.375 million tons in 2018/19 compared with 2.410 million tons in 2017/18.
Spain’s production will make up three-quarters of total EU olive oil production in the 2018/19 season, and more than half of the worldwide production.
After a slight dip over the holiday season, exports are expected to pick up again in January. Consumption in Spain is also increasing in the 2018/19 season after prices dropped back down below €3.00 ($3.42) per kilogram for extra virgin olive oil, and is expected to reach 578,700 tons.
Davide Granieri, president of the Italian olive oil consortium Unaprol, blamed this year’s disappointing crop on climate change, fraud and the tariff-free influx of Tunisian olive oil into the EU market.
Italy is also still in the throes of an infestation of Xylella fastidiosa, a plant pathogen that is ravaging olive oil groves in the eastern part of the country. A few cases of Xylella fastidiosa were found in Spain as well last year.
The majority of this year’s crop so far was harvested in December, when Spain collected 679,000 tons of olive oil, the second-most productive month in the last decade. The province of Jaén is responsible for 40 percent of Spain’s olive oil production, equating to more than Greece and Italy combined.
Ironically, Spanish olive oil producers have climate change to thank for the successful harvest season.
Unseasonable cold snaps and heat waves lined up perfectly to produce a bumper crop of olives in many regions this year. Jaén suffered a worse-than-expected harvest in November due to poor weather, but managed to compensate for it in December.
The climate in January will determine whether Spain reaches the estimated olive oil production figures for the 2018/19 season.
The most important olive oil producing countries outside of the EU are also seeing a drop in figures. Tunisia and Turkey are expected to fall by around 50 percent and only Morocco will increase its production, reaching about 50 percent more than the previous season.
According to the latest figures from the International Olive Oil Council, worldwide olive oil production for the 2018/19 season is expected to reach 3.451 million tons, down slightly from 3.653 million tons in the 2017/18 harvesting season.
More articles on: European Commission, European Union, exports
Nov. 20, 2023
Languedoc Extra Virgin Olive Oil Receives PDO Certification
Made from the local Lucques and Olivière varieties, Languedoc becomes France’s ninth extra virgin olive oil to receive Protected Designation of Origin status.
Nov. 6, 2023
Olive Oil Production in Europe Expected to Reach 1.5M Tons in 2023/24
Yields are expected to rebound after last year's historic lows. However, rising prices will hamper exports and consumption.
Apr. 12, 2024
Global Production May Exceed Expectations, but Not Enough to Move Prices
Analysts predict climate change will result in new price dynamics, with high-quality extra virgin olive oil and other market segments behaving differently.
May. 7, 2024
European Olive Oil Supply Hits Decade-Low
A production drop and low stocks have kept prices high, tempering demand.
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.
Nov. 27, 2023
High Olive Oil Prices in Spain Spur Interest in Black Friday Discounts
While prices at origin have dipped slightly, they remain elevated in stores, prompting concern among retailers over theft and consumers over fraud.
Mar. 6, 2024
US Surpasses Spain as Second-Largest Olive Oil Consumer
Experts predict the U.S. will overtake Italy to become the world’s largest consumer of olive oil.
Apr. 16, 2024
Researchers Investigate Solar Panel and Olive Grove Synergies
Solar panels between rows of high-density olive groves generate electricity with minimal impact on yields.