Olive oil production faces divide between drought-hit drylands and irrigated groves

Olive oil production in Spain is facing a stark divide between irrigated and dryland farming due to varying weather conditions. In the Camp de Tarragona region, a lack of rain since mid-May and high summer temperatures have severely impacted dryland olive groves. Unió de Pagesos warns that if rain does not arrive within the next fifteen days, the dryland harvest in the Alt Camp and Tarragonès areas could be almost entirely lost.

In contrast, irrigated areas in the Baix Camp, such as Reus and Riudoms, remain in a more favorable position with harvest forecasts between 50% and 80% of a normal year.

On a broader scale, some producers are optimistic about total yields, forecasting up to 1.6 million tons of olives—an increase of 300,000 tons over last year—provided there is sufficient rainfall in October. This potential increase in supply could drive olive oil prices down to between 3 and 3.50 euros per liter. However, producers warn that low market prices create a significant imbalance against rising production costs, noting that many farmers are currently losing money.