Despite expectations for more olive oil coming out of the mills compared to last year, the warm and dry weather that prevailed the time period before the harvest resulted in lower oil quantities in certain areas of southern Greece. Olive trees carry more olive drupes but the oil taken after processing is less, since the dry conditions disfavored the oil formation inside the drupes.
Sakis Georgopoulos, a producer at Ilia region in Peloponnesus, said that the output of olive processing is less than usual and prices for EVOO are down to 2.30 – 2.40 euros, anticipating a difficult season. The late rains of September didn’t really help; instead, they allowed for occurrences of fungi in the olives.
Elias Koronios, a producer at Messinia region, was surprised to see one of his olive orchards giving more than 40 sacks of olives compared to the usual 25 sacks, but he was highly disappointed when he heard the news from the oil mill; the volume of the oil was hardly equal to that of previous years when he had lower olive yield, meaning more effort for less revenue. There is even an ongoing process for compensating the local olive oil producers for the damage caused by the drought.
So far, it seems that the incident occurs only at low altitude cultivations and the trees located on hills or slopes — which mostly produce high quality olive oil — are unaffected.
As weather has become unstable and unpredictable, farmers and oil producers should prepare to cope with phenomenal predicaments in the future. After all, it is the combination of the special micro-climate, ground morphology and cultivating techniques that yield olive oil of superior quality in the various regions of Greece. If one of the three components is absent, then the model collapses.
Related Articles
Dec. 5, 2023
Soaring Expenses Strain Producers in Southern Europe
Olive oil producers in Spain, Italy and Greece are grappling with challenges that threaten the viability of the sector.
Jul. 1, 2024
Three Beloved Greek Dishes to Try This Summer
Fresh, seasonal ingredients are combined with the year’s extra virgin olive oil to create some of the most delicious summer dishes of Greek cuisine.
Jan. 29, 2024
In Search of Chill: Cool Nights Needed for Olive Trees in Greece
After warm spells decimated their harvests, producers in Greece are hoping for cool temperatures during critical growing stages this time around.
Nov. 15, 2023
A Hobby Grower’s Guide to the Olive Harvest
Harvesting olives at the right moment of maturity and bringing them to the mill within 24 hours are a few tips hobby growers can follow to yield extra virgin olive oil.
Jul. 20, 2024
Award-Winning Producer Promotes Rhodes as An Olive Oil Destination
Greece’s fourth-largest island is a well-known tourist destination. Consistently winning quality awards is helping Natura Rodos raise its profile as an olive oil producer.
May. 13, 2024
Native Varieties and Centenarian Trees: The Winning Formula for Olivian Groves
After a harvest full of twists and turns, the Peloponnese producer achieved award-winning quality by relying on traditional and modern practices.
Jun. 10, 2024
Farmers in Greece Witness the Impacts of Climate Change After Historically Low Harvest
Farmers and millers throughout Greece have reported that climate change is making it increasingly difficult to produce award-winning extra virgin olive oil.
Nov. 27, 2023
Two Greek PDO Olive Oils Receive Protection in India
Kalamata and Sitia Lasithiou Kritis extra virgin olive oils have been registered as in India to protect them from imitations.