Lesvos olive oil production improves despite labor and price concerns

Olive oil production in Lesvos is showing signs of improvement compared to last year, according to local producer and olive oil processor Michalis Tzortzis. Increased rainfall, with some areas receiving between 40 and 50 inches, has significantly benefited the trees and soil, creating favorable conditions for a high-quality harvest.

However, the sector faces significant challenges. Production quality varies by geography; low-altitude areas near the coast are seeing better yields, while mountainous regions report minimal or no fruit. Additionally, producers are struggling with an intensifying shortage of manual labor for the harvest. This labor crisis is compounded by market conditions, where edible olive oil prices have fallen below 4 euros, leading to limited market activity.