Extreme hot weather, drought cause sharp drop in olive production in Spain

GRANADA, SPAIN - AUGUST 10: Extreme hot weather and persistent drought conditions have dealt a severe blow to olive oil production in southern Europe, resulting in a significant surge in prices. The effects of these adverse climate conditions have been particularly pronounced in the European Union (EU), where countries collectively account for a staggering two-thirds of global olive oil production, alongside a substantial 900,000 tons of table olives. Spain, as the largest olive oil producer within the EU, shoulders a significant portion of the impact. Over the past five years, Spain's olive oil production has seen a dramatic decline, plummeting from nearly 1.8 million tons to approximately 663,000 tons during the recent 2022-2023 harvest season. Mariluz Robio Romero, an olive orchard owner, complained about the dire situation while touring her groves. "I came here to see the olive trees, and to showcase the profound drought we've endured for three years," she said. "The production is getting worse and worse. We cannot cover the expenses because there is no harvest.” "The traditional olive trees suffer immensely due to water scarcity," Romero explained adding "The absence of irrigation further compounds their distress." The dire state of olive trees was painfully evident during the visit. "There are no olives, the olive tree is very sad, very dry and with a great lack of water because it has hydric stars, as you can see there is nothing!" remarked Mariluz Robio Romero. The repercussions of this decline in olive oil production are reverberating throughout global markets, driving prices to unprecedented heights. As the impacts of climate change continue to escalate, the olive oil industry faces a formidable challenge to adapt and find sustainable solutions to ensure the preservation of this cherished culinary staple. (Footage by Ahmet Abbasi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)