Spanish olive oil production faces decline due to drought

Olive oil producers in Spain are facing significant challenges due to a lack of rainfall, which is expected to reduce production volumes in key regions.

In the DOP Les Garrigues region, production forecasts have been slashed by half. Officials originally expected between 7 and 8 million kilograms of extra virgin olive oil, but now anticipate only about 4 million kilograms. The lack of rain since May has caused olives to remain small and shriveled. Enric Dalmau, president of DOP Les Garrigues, noted that since 70% of the fields rely on dry farming, the implementation of support irrigation is becoming essential as traditional methods become increasingly unviable.

Similarly, the DOP Aceite Campo de Montiel region is anticipating a notable decrease in harvest compared to last year due to water shortages. Despite the lower yields, producers aim to maintain high quality by advancing the harvest schedule by 15 to 20 days. Carlos González, managing director of DOP Aceite Campo de Montiel, stated that while the lack of water has affected the crop, the olives currently remain healthy and free from pests or diseases.