Heavy rains and hail have severely damaged nearly 1,000 acres of olive trees in Arganda del Rey, a small municipality outside of Madrid. Nearly all of the damaged trees belong to small-scale family producers.
The Association of Young Farmers and Ranchers (Asaja) said that olive oil production is estimated to be 90 percent lower this year as a result.
A combination of strong winds, heavy rains and large pieces of hail hit the small town, leaving 998 acres of trees without fruit.
“When we went out we had more than half a meter of hail. Hail moved like iceberg blocks on roads and paths,” Cipriano Guillén, a local olive farmer and delegate of Asaja Madrid, told Agropopular in a radio interview. “We saw that there were some areas, which were totally razed. And all this 48 hours before planning the olive campaign.”
Arganda del Rey is not a large producer of olive oil, so overall production figures for Spain are largely unaffected.
The municipality was already expecting a significantly lower yield, compared with last year, due to many farmers entering an off-year and a lack of rain in the springtime.
“Now there will be absolutely almost nothing,” Guillén said.
Related Articles
Apr. 22, 2024
Olive Milling Byproducts May Improve Animal Feed
Diets including olive tree leaves and olive oil pomace did not negatively impact the health of sheep or their milk quality while decreasing methane emissions.
May. 28, 2024
Spanish Olive Oil Production Continues to Beat Expectations
While this year’s yield remains significantly below the five-year average, it exceeded initial expectations by 11 percent and surpassed last year’s historically poor harvest by 28 percent.
Mar. 7, 2024
Spanish Campaigners Lobby for Glyphosate Ban After EU Fails to Reach Consensus
The world’s most used herbicide was found in concentrations exceeding the legal limit in Mar Menor, spurring advocates to call for a ban in Spain.
Jul. 20, 2024
Trade Commission Extends Tariffs on Spanish Black Olives
The decision came two months after the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Commerce Department’s tariffs.
Jun. 25, 2024
Bank of Spain Attributes Ongoing Inflation to Soaring Olive Oil Prices
The bank’s statements come as the government announced plans to continue its Value-Added Tax markdown on most foods, including olive oil.
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.
Nov. 12, 2024
Olive Leaf Moth Threatens Brazilian Crops: Researchers Seek Solutions
Brazilian researchers have discovered a dual solution to combat the olive leaf moth: a new eco-friendly insecticide and the strategic use of local wasp species as natural predators.
Jul. 8, 2024
Bricks Made with Olive Pits Reduce Carbon Footprint of Buildings, Study Finds
A new study has shown that olive pit waste can effectively reduce energy usage in buildings, demonstrating how the circular economy can be applied to the construction sector.